In a significant move towards making the sports mechanism more transparent and accountable, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed the National Sports Governance Bill-2025 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025 by voice vote amidst uproar from the opposition.
Sports News: Taking a historic step towards making sports administration in India transparent, accountable, and in line with international standards, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 by voice vote. Passed amidst opposition uproar, these bills were described by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya as the biggest reform in the Indian sports sector after independence. He says that this law will strengthen India's preparation for hosting the 2036 Olympics.
BCCI Also Under Scrutiny
Under the new bill, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will also come under government discipline. Even though the BCCI is a private governing body and does not take financial assistance from the government, it has been included in the category of National Sports Federation. Every year, the BCCI will have to obtain recognition from the government authority.
Legal matters will be settled in the National Sports Tribunal. However, it has been kept out of the purview of the Right to Information (RTI), which will give it partial relief.
National Sports Board and New Rules
According to the bill, a National Sports Board will be constituted in the country, which will recognize all National Sports Federations. Recognition from the board will be mandatory to receive government funds. The recognition of the federation can be cancelled for not conducting elections on time, tampering with the election process, or misusing government funds. In the new provisions, the maximum age limit for sports administrators has been increased from 70 years to 75 years, which will give senior and experienced administrators an opportunity to contest elections as well.
Powers of the National Sports Authority
- The sports bill also provides for the formation of a National Sports Authority, which will have court-like powers.
- It will be able to settle selection, election and other disputes between players and sports federations.
- Earlier, many disputes used to get stuck in a long legal process, but with the arrival of the new authority, decisions will be faster and more transparent.
Amendments to Anti-Doping Law
Along with this, the Lok Sabha has also passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025. Its purpose is to remove the objections of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In the original law of 2022, the 'National Anti-Doping Board' was given the right to monitor and advise NADA. WADA rejected this considering it government interference.
While retaining the board in the amended law, its powers have been limited and the operational independence of NADA has been ensured. Sports Minister Mandaviya told the House that the need for reforms in sports administration had been felt for many decades.
- The first effort in this direction was made in 1975.
- The first draft was prepared in 1985.
- The National Sports Code also came in 2011, but the bill could not be passed in Parliament due to political reasons.
He described this bill as a "historic change" and said that it will give "new sky" to the country's sports potential and improve international performance.
Bill Passed Amidst Uproar in Parliament
This bill was passed amidst opposition from opposition parties and uproar. Members of the opposition were taken into custody during a march in protest against voter revision in Bihar, due to which they could not participate in the initial discussion. Later they returned to the House and started a ruckus, but the bill was passed by voice vote. Major changes are expected in the Indian sports world with these two bills.
Sports administration will be more transparent and accountable. The process of player selection and dispute resolution will be faster. Administration in line with international standards will strengthen India's chances of hosting the 2036 Olympics.
