A historic moment occurred in India’s sports ministry as the National Sports Governance Bill was passed in the Lower House, Lok Sabha, on Monday.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described it as the ‘single biggest reform in Indian sports since Independence,’ even as protests over electoral rolls in Bihar continued.
“It is the single biggest reform in sports since independence. This bill will ensure accountability, ensure justice, and best governance in sports federations,” Mandaviya said amid sloganeering by opposition members. “
It will have massive significance in India’s sports ecosystem. Unfortunately, such an important bill and reform do not have the opposition’s participation,” he added. - as quoted by TOI
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What does the National Sports Bill do?
The new sports bill allows the National Sports Board (NSB) to cancel recognition of any sports body that doesn’t hold proper elections or misuses public money. The NSB must first consult the international sports body before taking such action.
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The bill also proposes a National Sports Tribunal to handle disputes like team selections and elections. It will have the powers of a civil court, and its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.
The Richest Board (BCCI) to Come Under New Sports Governance Rules
The National Sports Governance Bill aims to bring stricter control over how sports bodies are run in India. It proposes the creation of a National Sports Board (NSB), which will monitor and regulate all sports federations, including the BCCI, the country’s wealthiest and most powerful sports body.
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One key part of the bill is that the BCCI, which runs cricket in India, will now be officially recognized as a National Sports Federation (NSF) and will follow the same rules as other sports bodies.
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Once the bill becomes law, the BCCI will have to apply for recognition every year. Any current or future legal issues involving the BCCI will be handled by the new National Sports Tribunal. Also, the BCCI and its state associations won’t be allowed to take their disputes directly to court anymore.
