Mandaviya tables bill to reform sports bodies, including BCCI

New Delhi

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, aiming to bring more transparency and accountability to Indian sports federations, including the BCCI. The bill proposes the creation of a National Sports Board (NSB), which will set rules and monitor all National Sports Federations (NSFs). Only NSB-recognised bodies will be eligible for central government funding.

A key highlight is the proposal for a National Sports Tribunal to resolve disputes related to team selections, elections, and athlete issues. This tribunal will function like a civil court, and its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.

The bill also proposes that all recognised sports bodies come under the RTI Act, including the BCCI, which has long resisted this move. It allows some relaxation in age limits for sports administrators, permitting candidates aged 70–75 to contest elections if allowed by international sports bodies.

The NSB will consist of experts from public administration, sports law, and governance, selected through a panel that includes top officials and renowned sportspersons. It will also have powers to de-recognise federations for irregularities in elections or misuse of public funds, but must consult international bodies before doing so.

The bill is part of India’s broader effort to reform sports governance ahead of its bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Mandaviya also introduced amendments to the National Anti-Doping Bill to meet World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requirements by limiting government control over NADA, ensuring it remains independent and free from interference.