The union government on Monday (August 11) passed the National Sports Governance Bill and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, amid protests from the opposition. Both the bills were tabled by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the ongoing monsoon session in the presence of speaker Sandhya Ray of the BJP.&nbsp;The Sports Governance Bill aims to overhaul sports administration in India, while the Anti-Doping Amendment Bill seeks to grant greater operational independence to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in line with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) directives.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to enhance institutional and operational independence of the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel and the National Anti-Doping Agency to ensure autonomy in their decisions pertaining to operations, investigations, and enforcement activities,” the Bill’s objectives said. “The Bill will be the single biggest reform in sports since Independence. Through this bill, we hope to realise the dream of ground to glory,” Mandaviya said of the Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha.&nbsp;“It will strengthen accountability and professionalism. It will give more opportunities to women in the country, and it will ensure justice for our athletes.” "It will have massive significance in India's sports ecosystem. It is unfortunate that such an important bill and reform does not have opposition's participation," he added. &nbsp;Most of the opposition MPs were absent when the bills were introduced, having been detained during a march to the Election Commission over alleged voter data manipulation in Bihar. After two MPs spoke in support, opposition members returned and started slogan-shouting. The bills were passed by voice vote and the House adjourned till 4 pm. Earlier, Parliamentary Sports Committee chair Digvijaya Singh had urged Speaker Om Birla to refer the Sports Governance Bill to the panel for detailed scrutiny.&nbsp;Mandaviya said the two bills were key reforms aimed at building a "transparent, accountable and world-class sports ecosystem" in India as the country aims to bid for the 2036 Olympics. "Efforts have been made since 1975 and in 1985, we had the first draft. But sports was also politicised for personal gains. Some ministers made efforts to bring this bill but could not move forward. "In 2011, we had a National Sports Code. Another effort was made to turn it into a bill. It reached the cabinet, there was a discussion as well but the bill was deferred after that. It did not reach the Parliament," the minister stated while presenting a timeline of the bill's journey."&nbsp;"The National Sports Bill Governance Bill is a force of change...Despite being such a large country, our performance at the Olympic Games and on the international stage has not been satisfactory and this Bill aims to build India's sports capacity," he added.

Lok Sabha passes landmark sports governance anti doping bills amid opposition uproar

The union government on Monday (August 11) passed the National Sports Governance Bill and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, amid protests from the opposition. Both the bills were tabled by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the ongoing monsoon session in the presence of speaker Sandhya Ray of the BJP. The Sports Governance Bill aims to overhaul sports administration in India, while the Anti-Doping Amendment Bill seeks to grant greater operational independence to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in line with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) directives. “The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to enhance institutional and operational independence of the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel and the National Anti-Doping Agency to ensure autonomy in their decisions pertaining to operations, investigations, and enforcement activities,” the Bill’s objectives said. “The Bill will be the single biggest reform in sports since Independence. Through this bill, we hope to realise the dream of ground to glory,” Mandaviya said of the Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha. “It will strengthen accountability and professionalism. It will give more opportunities to women in the country, and it will ensure justice for our athletes.” "It will have massive significance in India's sports ecosystem. It is unfortunate that such an important bill and reform does not have opposition's participation," he added. Most of the opposition MPs were absent when the bills were introduced, having been detained during a march to the Election Commission over alleged voter data manipulation in Bihar. After two MPs spoke in support, opposition members returned and started slogan-shouting. The bills were passed by voice vote and the House adjourned till 4 pm. Earlier, Parliamentary Sports Committee chair Digvijaya Singh had urged Speaker Om Birla to refer the Sports Governance Bill to the panel for detailed scrutiny. Mandaviya said the two bills were key reforms aimed at building a "transparent, accountable and world-class sports ecosystem" in India as the country aims to bid for the 2036 Olympics. "Efforts have been made since 1975 and in 1985, we had the first draft. But sports was also politicised for personal gains. Some ministers made efforts to bring this bill but could not move forward. "In 2011, we had a National Sports Code. Another effort was made to turn it into a bill. It reached the cabinet, there was a discussion as well but the bill was deferred after that. It did not reach the Parliament," the minister stated while presenting a timeline of the bill's journey." "The National Sports Bill Governance Bill is a force of change...Despite being such a large country, our performance at the Olympic Games and on the international stage has not been satisfactory and this Bill aims to build India's sports capacity," he added.

Both the bills were moved by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the ongoing monsoon session in the presence of speaker Sandhya Ray

Lok Sabha passes landmark sports governance, anti-doping bills amid opposition uproar. Know all about it

In a decision that has brought much relief to the BCCI, the sports ministry has amended the RTI-related provision of the National Sports Governance Bill. The revised bill includes only those organisations that are dependent on government grants and assistance within its purview. The bill, which was brought by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya to the Lok Sabha on July 23, originally expressed in clause 15 (2) that "a recognised sports organisation shall be deemed to be a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 with regard to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers under this Act."&nbsp;The RTI has been a thorn in the side of the BCCI, which has consistently opposed being brought under it on the grounds that, in contrast to most other National Sports Federations (NSFs), it does not depend on funds from the government. The amendment in the bill actually remedies this issue.&nbsp;“The amended clause defines public authority as an entity that is relying on government funds or assistance. With this amendment, there is a clear definition of what is a public authority," a source was quoted as sayng by news agency PTI. “If this had not been done, it would have been a grey area that could have led to the bill getting held up or being challenged in court. So anything that involves public money will come under RTI. It defines the specifics," the source added.&nbsp;“And even if a national sports body is not taking government funds, it can still be questioned if government assistance of any kind is involved in the conduct or operation of its events. Because government assistance is not merely funds, it is also about infrastructure," the source explained. &nbsp;The BCCI had earlier said that it would review the bill before commenting on its provisions. Once it becomes an act, the BCCI will have to compulsorily register itself as an NSF, as cricket is to make its debut as an Olympic sport in the T20 format at the 2028 Games. &nbsp;The Bill has a provision for a National Sports Board (NSB) establishing a very stringent accountability system, mandating all NSFs to get the recognition from NSB for getting funds from the center. Another important feature is the National Sports Tribunal that will have the powers of a civil court to resolve disputes on matters as varied as issues of selection to election and federation versus athlete disputes, whose decisions can only be appealed in the Supreme Court.&nbsp;The Bill also grants some compromises on the age limit for administrators so that 70-75 years olds can be allowed to contest elections if they are so allowed by the statutes and byelaws of the respective international federations. This is a departure from the national sports code where the age limit was fixed at 70 years.&nbsp;“…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 aids in improved performance in major international competitions," reads the bill’s statement of objectives.&nbsp;The NSB will be chaired and have members designated by the central government from “amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing.” The selections shall be through recommendations by a search-cum-selection committee consisting of the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as chairperson, the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sports administrators who have held the posts of President, Secretary General, or Treasurer of a National Sports Body, and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, Khel Ratna, or Arjuna awardee.&nbsp;The NSB would be able to de-recognise a national body that is unable to conduct elections for its Executive Committee or has “committed gross irregularities in the election procedures.” Not publishing annual audited accounts or "misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" could also lead to action by the NSB, but it would have to refer the matter to the relevant global body before taking the action.

BCCI gets relief as sports ministry eases RTI provision in Governance Bill

In a decision that has brought much relief to the BCCI, the sports ministry has amended the RTI-related provision of the National Sports Governance Bill. The revised bill includes only those organisations that are dependent on government grants and assistance within its purview. The bill, which was brought by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya to the Lok Sabha on July 23, originally expressed in clause 15 (2) that "a recognised sports organisation shall be deemed to be a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 with regard to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers under this Act." The RTI has been a thorn in the side of the BCCI, which has consistently opposed being brought under it on the grounds that, in contrast to most other National Sports Federations (NSFs), it does not depend on funds from the government. The amendment in the bill actually remedies this issue. “The amended clause defines public authority as an entity that is relying on government funds or assistance. With this amendment, there is a clear definition of what is a public authority," a source was quoted as sayng by news agency PTI. “If this had not been done, it would have been a grey area that could have led to the bill getting held up or being challenged in court. So anything that involves public money will come under RTI. It defines the specifics," the source added. “And even if a national sports body is not taking government funds, it can still be questioned if government assistance of any kind is involved in the conduct or operation of its events. Because government assistance is not merely funds, it is also about infrastructure," the source explained. The BCCI had earlier said that it would review the bill before commenting on its provisions. Once it becomes an act, the BCCI will have to compulsorily register itself as an NSF, as cricket is to make its debut as an Olympic sport in the T20 format at the 2028 Games. The Bill has a provision for a National Sports Board (NSB) establishing a very stringent accountability system, mandating all NSFs to get the recognition from NSB for getting funds from the center. Another important feature is the National Sports Tribunal that will have the powers of a civil court to resolve disputes on matters as varied as issues of selection to election and federation versus athlete disputes, whose decisions can only be appealed in the Supreme Court. The Bill also grants some compromises on the age limit for administrators so that 70-75 years olds can be allowed to contest elections if they are so allowed by the statutes and byelaws of the respective international federations. This is a departure from the national sports code where the age limit was fixed at 70 years. “…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 aids in improved performance in major international competitions," reads the bill’s statement of objectives. The NSB will be chaired and have members designated by the central government from “amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing.” The selections shall be through recommendations by a search-cum-selection committee consisting of the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as chairperson, the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sports administrators who have held the posts of President, Secretary General, or Treasurer of a National Sports Body, and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, Khel Ratna, or Arjuna awardee. The NSB would be able to de-recognise a national body that is unable to conduct elections for its Executive Committee or has “committed gross irregularities in the election procedures.” Not publishing annual audited accounts or "misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" could also lead to action by the NSB, but it would have to refer the matter to the relevant global body before taking the action.

The bill includes a provision for a National Sports Board to establish a stringent accountability system, requiring all NSFs to attain NSB’s recognition for access to central government funding

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will come under the jurisdiction of the National Sports Governance Bill, which will be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday (July 23). The cricket board will have to seek recognition from the proposed National Sports Board under the new act, despite it not being dependent on government funds.&nbsp;A sports ministry official on Tuesday (July 22) said that as with all National Sports federations (NSFs), the BCCI too would have to adhere to the law of the land once this Bill becomes an Act. “They don't take funding from the ministry, but an Act of Parliament applies to them. They will remain an autonomous body like all other NSFs, but their disputes, if any, will also come to the proposed National Sports Tribunal, which will become the dispute resolution body for sports issues ranging from elections to selection,” the official said. &nbsp;These will not attempt to have government oversight on any NSF," he clarified. Government, according to him, would be a facilitator rather than an enforcer of good governance. BCCI has become an Olympic part after cricket was added in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where it would be contested in the T20 format. The much-awaited Sports Governance Bill attempts to institutionalise robust structures for timely elections, administrative accountability, athlete well-being and minimisation of litigation through a range of measures.&nbsp;The National Sports Board (NSB), constituted completely by the Central government, will have sweeping powers to give and even withdraw recognition of federations on grounds of complaints or "its own motion" for transgressions ranging from electoral malpractices to financial misappropriation. The Bill offers compromises on the question of age limit of administrators by providing that persons in the age group of 70 to 75 may stand for elections subject to there being no opposition from international bodies involved. On matters relating to elections, the Bill will accept the "supremacy" of the Olympic Charter and International Federations' statutes.&nbsp;The new NSB will have a chairperson and members, who will be nominated by the central government from "amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing". They would be nominated on the recommendations of a search- cum-selection committee, as per the Bill, which has been finalised after several rounds of consultations with stakeholders and public inputs.&nbsp;The chairperson of the selection committee would be the cabinet secretary or secretary, sports and would include the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sport administrators each of whom shall have served as president or secretary general or treasurer of a national sport body and one renowned sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, Khel Ratna or Arjuna awardee.&nbsp;“This is an athlete-centric Bill which will ensure stable administration, fair selection, safe sports and grievance redressal, NSF audits, proper accounting and better fund management. The National Sports Tribunal will ensure that there is no career damage to athletes due to delayed court cases. Even now 350 different court cases are in progress where the ministry is a party. This needs to end. As was mentioned in the draft released last year, the Board will have the power to grant recognition to NSFs and even constitute ad-hoc panels to run individual sports in case an NSF is suspended,” said the official.

BCCI to come under National Sports Governance Bill Heres what we know

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will come under the jurisdiction of the National Sports Governance Bill, which will be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday (July 23). The cricket board will have to seek recognition from the proposed National Sports Board under the new act, despite it not being dependent on government funds. A sports ministry official on Tuesday (July 22) said that as with all National Sports federations (NSFs), the BCCI too would have to adhere to the law of the land once this Bill becomes an Act. “They don't take funding from the ministry, but an Act of Parliament applies to them. They will remain an autonomous body like all other NSFs, but their disputes, if any, will also come to the proposed National Sports Tribunal, which will become the dispute resolution body for sports issues ranging from elections to selection,” the official said. These will not attempt to have government oversight on any NSF," he clarified. Government, according to him, would be a facilitator rather than an enforcer of good governance. BCCI has become an Olympic part after cricket was added in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where it would be contested in the T20 format. The much-awaited Sports Governance Bill attempts to institutionalise robust structures for timely elections, administrative accountability, athlete well-being and minimisation of litigation through a range of measures. The National Sports Board (NSB), constituted completely by the Central government, will have sweeping powers to give and even withdraw recognition of federations on grounds of complaints or "its own motion" for transgressions ranging from electoral malpractices to financial misappropriation. The Bill offers compromises on the question of age limit of administrators by providing that persons in the age group of 70 to 75 may stand for elections subject to there being no opposition from international bodies involved. On matters relating to elections, the Bill will accept the "supremacy" of the Olympic Charter and International Federations' statutes. The new NSB will have a chairperson and members, who will be nominated by the central government from "amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing". They would be nominated on the recommendations of a search- cum-selection committee, as per the Bill, which has been finalised after several rounds of consultations with stakeholders and public inputs. The chairperson of the selection committee would be the cabinet secretary or secretary, sports and would include the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sport administrators each of whom shall have served as president or secretary general or treasurer of a national sport body and one renowned sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, Khel Ratna or Arjuna awardee. “This is an athlete-centric Bill which will ensure stable administration, fair selection, safe sports and grievance redressal, NSF audits, proper accounting and better fund management. The National Sports Tribunal will ensure that there is no career damage to athletes due to delayed court cases. Even now 350 different court cases are in progress where the ministry is a party. This needs to end. As was mentioned in the draft released last year, the Board will have the power to grant recognition to NSFs and even constitute ad-hoc panels to run individual sports in case an NSF is suspended,” said the official.

According to reports, The Board of Control for Cricket in India will now be classified as a National Sports Federation under the new bill

BCCI to come under National Sports Governance Bill? Here's what we know