National Sports Governance Bill Features

The National Sports Governance Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on July 23. It proposes significant changes in the governance of sports in India.

Key Proposals

• National Sports Board: 
  • Formation of a board with comprehensive powers to set rules and oversee federations, including the BCCI.
  • Envisioned as a SEBI-type body to create a unified national sports structure.
  • The board will have a budget to hire specialized staff for legal and auditing evaluations.
• National Sports Tribunal: 
  • Endowed with civil court powers to resolve disputes ranging from athlete selections to federation elections.
  • Decisions can be appealed in the Supreme Court.
  • Aims to provide time-bound, sports-aware dispute resolution.

Rationale and Background

• The need for such regulation was highlighted in the Draft Comprehensive National Sports Policy 2007.
• The Bill’s structure draws from previous National Sports Development Bills that remained unpassed.
• Current reliance on the 2011 Sports Code lacks statutory backing, leading to judicial interventions and unresolved court cases.

Impact and Challenges

• Public Scrutiny and Transparency: 
  • The board as a statutory institution will enhance transparency and accountability in sports governance.
  • Registration of all NSF-affiliated units aims at better information governance.
• International Representation: 
  • Concerns about balancing Indian administrators' international representation with risks of institutional capture.
• BCCI Inclusion: 
  • Intended inclusion of BCCI under the Bill, despite its current non-recognition as an NSF.
  • Implications for age and tenure limitations within the BCCI.

Dispute Resolution Structure

• Multi-Tiered Resolution Process: 
  • Initial disputes addressed by internal resolution chambers.
  • Further appeals lie with the National Sports Tribunal, similar to international bodies like FIFA.
• Objective: 
  • Ensure accessibility, financial viability, and fairness for athletes in dispute resolutions.