New Delhi: The govt introduced the ‘National Sports Governance Bill 2025’ in Parliament on Wednesday, marking a significant overhaul of the regulatory framework for sports bodies in India. The 30-page legislation, a copy of which is with TOI, outlines several key provisions aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within national sports federations (NSFs).
A pivotal clause in the bill states that “recognised sports bodies designated as public authority will come under RTI Act”. This amendment resolves a long-standing ambiguity, placing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) within the purview of the Right to Information Act after years of resistance.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Previously, the BCCI did not classify itself as a public body or NSF, thereby opposing govt attempts to oversee its operations. With the new bill, the BCCI will operate as an NSF, subjecting its financial records to public scrutiny.
The BCCI has adopted a ‘wait and watch’ policy, with its officials looking to study the bill first to understand its impact on the board’s functioning before commenting on the matter. The board is registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.
Status of BCCI as public authority under the
An official note on the ministry of youth affairs and sports (MYAS) website informs about the BCCI’s reluctance to come under RTI purview. “The MYAS, vide its order dated 21st April, 2010 declared recognised NSF as ‘Public Authority’ under the RTI Act, 2005. As BCCI has never approached the MYAS for recognition as NSF, the ministry has not recognised BCCI as NSF. However, the Chief Information Commission (CIC) vide its order dated 01.10.2018 (Annexure-I) held the BCCI as the public authority under RTI Act, 2005 and directed the president, secretary and committee of administrators (CoA) to designate deserving officers as Central Public Information Officers, Central Assistant Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities and put in place a system of online and offline mechanisms to receive the applications for information under RTI Act. MYAS was directed to take necessary steps to ensure implementation of this order. However, BCCI filed a writ petition in the High Court of Judicature at Madras challenging CIC's Order dated 01.10.2018. The High Court vide its order dated 09.11.2018 and 10.12.2018 (Annexure-II & III) had granted stay on CIC's order dated 01.10.2018. The stay order is still in operation.”
Impose restrictions on national team’s participation
The bill also grants the govt overriding powers to impose international restrictions on the participation of national teams when deemed necessary for national interest. This provision ensures that the govt can intervene in international sports affairs to protect the country's sporting reputation and interests.
Cap on EC members
Furthermore, the bill introduces a cap on the composition of Executive Committees (EC) for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and other NSFs. Each committee will be restricted to a maximum of 15 members, with a mandatory inclusion of at least four women. This measure aims to promote gender diversity and prevent executive bodies from becoming disproportionately dominated by a single group.
National Sports Election Panel
The bill calls for the formation of a pool of qualified election officials for transparent elections in sports federations. It will end inflated payments and biased appointments and fees standardised by NSB. In cases of suspension, derecognition, or governance failure, the NSB may direct the NOC to constitute an ad-hoc administrative body.
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