The Indian sports landscape is poised for a significant transformation with the introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. This bill aims to revamp the country's sports administration, enhance transparency, ensure accountability, and empower athletes in the decision-making processes.

One of the most notable proposals of the bill is the establishment of a National Sports Board (NSB). This board would possess extensive authority, including the power to formulate regulations and oversee the operations of sports federations, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The NSB would have the power to grant or suspend recognition of all National Sports Federations (NSFs) and collaborate with international federations for athlete welfare. The NSB would consist of a chairperson and members appointed by the central government from individuals with "ability, integrity, and standing". These appointments would be based on recommendations from a search-cum-selection committee, potentially led by the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary of Sports. The NSB is expected to increase the regulatory capacity of the government in sports and will have a budget to hire specialized staff with legal and auditing expertise to evaluate how the NSFs and their affiliates are being run.

The bill also proposes the establishment of a National Sports Tribunal, which would function as a civil court. This tribunal would be responsible for resolving disputes ranging from athlete selections to federation elections. Aggrieved athletes and administrators would be required to seek redressal from the tribunal before approaching the lower or high courts, with appeals from the tribunal's decisions only being allowed in the Supreme Court. The tribunal would consist of a chairperson, who would be a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court, and two members with expertise in sports, public administration, and law.

In an effort to promote ethical conduct and protect vulnerable individuals, the bill mandates that every National Sports Body formulate a Code of Ethics in line with international best practices and implement a Safe Sports Policy and Grievance Redressal mechanism.

The bill addresses age and tenure limitations for sports administrators. It sets a tenure limit of three consecutive terms, totaling 12 years, for the positions of President, Secretary General, and Treasurer in sports bodies. The age cap is set at 70, with a possible extension to 75 at the time of nomination if permitted by the international charter and statutes of the sport. The strength of the Executive Committee of a sports body is capped at 15 to ensure that the financial burden on the federation is not high. The EC would be mandated to have at least two sportspersons of outstanding merit and four women in the ranks.

Under the bill, all recognized sports organizations will be subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, regarding the exercise of their functions, duties, and powers. Any sports organization seeking to use the word "India" or "Indian" or "National" or any national insignia or symbols will need to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Central Government. The central government retains the power to "relax" any of the bill's provisions if deemed necessary and expedient in the public interest. The government can also issue directions to the National Sports Board or any other person or entity for the "efficient administration" of the bill's provisions. The government may also "impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport" under extraordinary circumstances and in the national interest.

The introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill is a significant step towards establishing a unified national structure for sports. By increasing the regulatory capacity of the government, establishing clear rules and standards, and providing a dedicated dispute resolution mechanism, the bill has the potential to improve the governance of sports bodies, reduce litigation, and foster a more transparent, accountable, and athlete-centered sports ecosystem in India.