BCCI to come under National Sports Bill, say sources. How will it impact it?

A top Sports Ministry source confirmed to India Today on Tuesday, July 22, that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will come under the ambit of the National Sports Bill. While the BCCI does not rely on government funding, its inclusion was widely anticipated, especially with Indian cricket teams set to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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The draft Sports Bill was unveiled by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Tuesday to reform the sports ecosystem in India. With the Sports Bill coming into effect, the BCCI as a National Sports Federation (NSF) is expected to come under its ambit.

Until 2019, the BCCI was not recognised as a National Sports Federation (NSF). It came under the ambit of the RTI Act in 2020. However, with the new Sports Bill set to cover the BCCI, it will automatically be deemed an NSF, bringing it under the purview of all Sports Ministry rules and guidelines. It remains to be seen if the Lodha Committee recommendations, including age cap limits and conflict of interest clauses, will continue to hold sway.

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL SPORTS BILL?

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aimed at overhauling the functioning of National Sports Federations (NSFs) and other sports bodies. The proposed legislation seeks to introduce transparency, athlete-centric reforms, and global best practices into the country’s sports governance framework.

The draft Bill comes after years of unsuccessful attempts at reform and is intended to ensure ethical conduct, protect athletes’ rights, and create a professional and dispute-free environment across the sporting ecosystem. It also seeks to align India’s sports governance structure with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters, thereby strengthening the country's credentials to host major international events, including a potential bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.

A key feature of the Bill is its focus on athletes. For the first time, sportspersons will be at the centre of policy-making. All NSFs, including the Indian Olympic Association and the National Paralympic Committee, will be required to establish Athletes’ Committees. These panels will provide sportspersons with a formal platform to voice concerns and contribute to decision-making processes.

The Bill also mandates that two sportspersons of outstanding merit be part of the Executive Committees of all recognised sports bodies. To improve gender representation, it makes it compulsory to include at least four women in every Executive Committee.

To address the issue of prolonged legal disputes, the Bill proposes the formation of a National Sports Tribunal. This body will serve as a dedicated mechanism for resolving sports-related conflicts. Its decisions can be challenged only in the Supreme Court, thereby reducing delays that have impacted the careers of several athletes.

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In cases where federations are suspended or lose recognition, the Bill authorises the proposed National Sports Board (NSB) to appoint ad-hoc administrative bodies. These interim panels will be composed of experienced sports administrators, ensuring continuity in training, selection, and athlete participation.

The NSB, a newly proposed entity, will act as the central authority for granting recognition to NSFs and their state and district affiliates. It will also oversee governance, compliance, and the distribution of funds. By taking over the regulatory responsibilities of the Ministry, the NSB aims to bring professionalism and autonomy to sports administration.

The Bill places a strong emphasis on transparency. All recognised sports bodies will be brought under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005, enabling public access to decision-making processes and financial records.

The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, marks a significant step towards reshaping India’s sporting landscape through structural reforms, enhanced accountability, and athlete-first policies.

HOW CAN THE BILL AFFECT SPORTS FEDERATIONS?

The upcoming Sports Governance Bill, though it drops the word "regulatory," is poised to bring sweeping changes to Indian sport by setting up a powerful National Sports Board (NSB) with the authority to suspend sports federations either based on complaints or its own initiative. The proposed body, entirely appointed by the central government, will have the mandate to act on issues ranging from flawed elections to financial mismanagement within national federations.

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According to the draft finalised after multiple rounds of consultation with stakeholders and public input, the NSB will be headed by a chairperson and staffed by members selected through a search-cum-selection process overseen by the government. The selection panel will be chaired by either the Cabinet Secretary or the Secretary of Sports and will include the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two former top office-bearers of national federations, and a decorated athlete who has received either the Arjuna, Khel Ratna or Dronacharya award.

As first proposed in last year’s draft, the Board will be empowered to recognise national federations and appoint ad-hoc panels to oversee sports bodies that have been suspended. It will also be responsible for engaging with international federations to ensure athlete welfare and for issuing binding guidelines to national federations to bring their functioning in line with global standards.

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Published By: alan john Published On: Jul 22, 2025

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