In a landmark moment for Indian sports, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed the long-pending National Sports Governance Bill, with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya hailing it as the “single biggest reform in Indian sports since independence.” The bill’s passage, however, came against the backdrop of fierce opposition protests over electoral roll revisions in Bihar, leading to early adjournments and sloganeering in the House. Alongside it, the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill was also cleared, marking another significant step toward aligning India’s sports framework with global standards.

Mandaviya stressed that the reforms would usher in a new era of transparency, accountability, and good governance within sports federations, a transformation he deemed essential for India’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics. He lamented the absence of opposition participation during the bill’s introduction, noting that most opposition leaders were detained while protesting outside the Election Commission headquarters. The minister also traced the bill’s history, pointing out that attempts to implement such legislation date back to 1975 but were repeatedly stalled due to political interference and lack of consensus.

The National Sports Governance Bill introduces the National Sports Board (NSB), a powerful body that will monitor and regulate all National Sports Federations (NSFs). The NSB will have the authority to de-recognise federations failing to conduct elections, mismanaging funds, or committing gross procedural irregularities. It will also oversee compliance with transparency norms, including the publication of annual audited accounts. A new National Sports Tribunal will handle disputes involving athletes and federations, with its rulings challengeable only in the Supreme Court, ensuring faster resolution of conflicts that often stall careers and competitions.

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In a notable shift from existing rules, the bill allows administrators aged between 70 and 75 to contest elections if permitted by their respective international federations, easing the earlier cap of 70 years. Additionally, all recognised sports bodies dependent on government funding will now come under the purview of the Right to Information Act, though the BCCI has been granted some exemptions to preserve operational independence. The reforms, Mandaviya asserted, will help India achieve sporting excellence and improve performance in global competitions.

The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025, passed alongside, addresses objections raised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding government interference in anti-doping matters. While the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports remains, it no longer has powers to oversee or issue directives to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), ensuring the agency’s operational independence in line with global standards.

Mandaviya called the day’s developments a decisive step toward building a world-class sports ecosystem in India, one that not only nurtures talent but also upholds fairness, transparency, and accountability at every level.

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