A Landmark Reform for Indian Sports

On August 18, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the National Sports Governance Bill, transforming it into the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, a seismic shift hailed by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya as the “single biggest reform in Indian sports since independence.” This landmark legislation, passed by the Lok Sabha on August 11 and the Rajya Sabha on August 12 amidst heated opposition protests, establishes a powerful National Sports Board (NSB) to regulate all sports federations, including the financially autonomous Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). With provisions for transparency, athlete empowerment, and a dedicated National Sports Tribunal, the Act aims to align India’s sports ecosystem with global standards, paving the way for a 2036 Olympics bid. However, amendments sparing the BCCI from Right to Information (RTI) scrutiny have sparked debate, making this a saga of reform, resistance, and ambition. Here’s the full story for www.masalamirror.com.

The Core of the National Sports Governance Act

Introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 23, 2025, by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, replaces the ad-hoc National Sports Development Code of 2011 with a robust legal framework. Its objectives are clear: enhance transparency, ensure athlete-centric policies, streamline dispute resolution, and prepare India for global sporting excellence, particularly with T20 cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and India’s 2036 Summer Olympics bid. The Act establishes three key bodies to reshape sports administration:

• National Sports Board (NSB): An apex body appointed by the central government, chaired by a person of “ability, integrity, and standing” with expertise in public administration, sports governance, or law. The NSB will oversee all National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the BCCI, granting or suspending recognition based on compliance with ethical standards, election fairness, and financial management. It will enforce a Unified Code of Ethics and a Safe Sports Policy to protect athletes from harassment and ensure welfare.
• National Sports Tribunal (NST): Modeled after the global Court of Arbitration for Sport, the NST, led by a Supreme Court judge, will have civil court powers to resolve disputes over athlete selection, federation elections, and administrative conflicts. Its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court, reducing the 300+ legal cases currently clogging India’s sports system. The tribunal, however, won’t handle disputes during major international events like the Olympics or doping issues, which remain under international bodies.
• National Sports Election Panel: Comprising experienced election officials, this panel will ensure free and fair elections for NSFs’ Executive and Athletes Committees, curbing factionalism and power struggles.

The Act mandates that all NSFs, including the BCCI, register with the NSB to use terms like “India,” “Indian,” or national insignia, aligning with international charters like the Olympic Charter. It also sets governance standards: a 15-member Executive Committee with at least four women and one-fourth sportspersons of outstanding merit, a 12-year tenure cap (three terms) for key office-bearers, and an age limit of 70, extendable to 75 if permitted by international federations. This flexibility benefits leaders like BCCI president Roger Binny, who turned 70 in July 2025, allowing him to potentially continue if aligned with International Cricket Council (ICC) rules.

The BCCI Conundrum: Autonomy vs. Accountability

The Act’s most contentious aspect is its impact on the BCCI, the world’s richest cricket board, which has long guarded its autonomy under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. Initially, the bill proposed bringing all NSFs, including the BCCI, under the RTI Act, 2005, to ensure public accountability. This sparked resistance from the BCCI, which, as a non-government-funded entity, has opposed RTI inclusion since its classification as a public authority in 2020. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, a Rajya Sabha member, told The Hindu, “We will study the bill and its clauses, and if put forth to any committee, we will see what needs to be done.”

In response to BCCI’s pushback, the Sports Ministry amended the bill before its passage, limiting RTI applicability to sports bodies receiving government funds or assistance, such as grants or infrastructure. This effectively exempts the BCCI, which relies on private revenue from media rights and sponsorships, not public money. A ministry source told Times of India, “The amended clause defines public authority as an entity relying on government funds or assistance. If a sports body uses government infrastructure, it can still be questioned, but BCCI’s financial independence keeps it out of RTI’s scope.”

This amendment has divided opinions. Supporters, like @hathyogi31 on X, hailed it as dismantling BCCI’s “long-guarded fortress” by bringing it under NSB oversight, even without RTI. Critics, however, argue it creates a loophole, shielding the BCCI’s operations—worth billions from IPL and international cricket—from public scrutiny. The BCCI’s inclusion as an NSF is non-negotiable, driven by cricket’s 2028 Olympic debut in T20 format, requiring compliance with International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards. Yet, the BCCI’s adoption of Lodha Committee reforms, mandated by the Supreme Court in 2016, including tenure limits and conflict-of-interest clauses, suggests it may adapt to NSB oversight while retaining operational autonomy.

Athlete-Centric Reforms and Global Ambitions

The Act prioritizes athletes, addressing long-standing grievances over unfair selections and administrative neglect. By mandating athlete representation in NSF governance, it ensures voices like those of Olympic medalists or Arjuna awardees shape decisions. The NST promises swift, cost-effective dispute resolution, sparing athletes from lengthy court battles. The Act also enforces gender parity, requiring at least four women in each NSF’s Executive Committee, aligning with global pushes for equity.

India’s 2036 Olympics bid is a key driver. The bill’s statement of objectives notes, “As a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence, and improved performance in major international competitions.” The IOC’s concerns about Indian Olympic Association (IOA) governance, including doping issues, further underscore the need for reform. The Act aligns NSFs with Olympic, Paralympic, and international charters, ensuring global compliance.

The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed alongside the Governance Act, addresses World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) objections to government interference in the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The original 2022 Act included a National Board for Anti-Doping, which WADA criticized as undermining NADA’s autonomy. The amended bill removes the board’s oversight powers, satisfying WADA and reinforcing India’s commitment to clean sports.

Political and Social Context

The Act’s passage wasn’t without drama. The Lok Sabha approved it on August 11 amidst opposition protests over Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral exercise and alleged vote fraud, limiting debate. The Rajya Sabha cleared it after a two-hour discussion on August 12, reflecting broad support despite concerns about NSF autonomy. The IOA and BCCI voiced fears that NSB oversight could curtail independence, but Mandaviya’s consultations with NSFs, athletes, coaches, and international bodies like the IOC and FIFA ensured a balanced draft, incorporating 600 public inputs.

On X, sentiments are mixed. Some, like @hathyogi31, see the Act as a bold step toward accountability, while others question the BCCI’s RTI exemption, with one user posting, “Why protect BCCI’s opacity when transparency is the goal?” The BCCI’s focus remains on cricket, with posts about the 2025 Asia Cup squad and fast-bowling programs, signaling business as usual.

A New Dawn for Indian Sports

The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, is a bold leap toward a transparent, athlete-first sports ecosystem. By establishing the NSB, NST, and Election Panel, it tackles factionalism, mismanagement, and disputes that have long plagued Indian sports. The BCCI’s inclusion under NSB oversight, despite its RTI exemption, marks a historic shift, especially with cricket’s Olympic debut looming. As India eyes global sporting glory, the Act lays a foundation for excellence, though its success hinges on implementation and navigating resistance from powerful federations.

For the latest on India’s sports reforms and global ambitions, visit www.bharattone.com.

Keywords: National Sports Governance Act 2025, President Droupadi Murmu, National Sports Board, BCCI oversight, RTI transparency, National Sports Tribunal, athlete representation, India 2036 Olympics bid, cricket 2028 Olympics, sports governance reform.