National Sports Governance Bill 2025: Aims To Reform India's Sports Landscape Ahead Of 2036 Olympics

Updated: Monday, August 4, 2025, 16:01 [IST]

The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aims to reform sports governance in India ahead of the 2036 Summer Olympics. Introduced by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the Lok Sabha, it is set for debate soon. While some sports federations view it as a step forward, others remain cautious about its implications.

India's cricket authority, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), has expressed reservations about being subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act. BCCI General Secretary Devajit Saikia stated, "Currently, it is too premature to comment on the Bill as it is going to be debated by MPs in Parliament. The BCCI will take a call once a final draft is passed by the Parliament".

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The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, introduced by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, is designed to reform sports governance in India before the 2036 Summer Olympics and is currently under debate by MPs, facing mixed reactions from sports federations like the BCCI and IOA, with concerns raised about government influence and autonomy, particularly regarding the proposed National Sports Tribunal and its potential impact on dispute resolution.

Federations' Concerns Over Government Influence

Last year, P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), voiced concerns about government interference affecting IOA's autonomy. She highlighted potential conflicts with international sports bodies like the IOC if the government gains excessive control over federations. Despite these concerns, Hockey India's Secretary-General Bhola Nath Singh supports the Bill, arguing that it aligns with international standards and was drafted after consulting all federations.

Sports activist Rahul Mehra has been a vocal critic of the Bill. He believes it grants undue control to the central government over sports federations. Mehra argues that this could lead to bureaucratic dominance similar to how election commissioners are appointed in India. He also criticises changes like relaxing age limits for federation members and extending tenure possibilities.

Debate Over Tribunal and Autonomy

The Bill proposes a National Sports Tribunal for resolving disputes between players and federations. However, Mehra is sceptical about its intentions. He points out that ordinary citizens might lose their ability to challenge decisions in court due to jurisdictional changes favouring the tribunal.

Mehra suggests setting strict timelines for resolving cases within 30 days at each stage to ensure swift justice. He emphasises that prolonged disputes often discourage athletes from pursuing their grievances further.