New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the long-awaited National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, pushing through the landmark reform despite opposition protests and sloganeering in the House. The government has hailed the bill as a game-changer in modernising and streamlining sports administration across the country.
Government sources told News18 that the Sports Ministry is moving quickly to frame rules for its implementation, with nearly 80% of the groundwork already completed. The official notification is expected within the next two months, after which the National Sports Board (NSB) will be set up to recognise and regulate both national and state-level sports federations.
One of the bill’s key provisions is the creation of a National Sports Election Panel, comprising experts in conducting federation polls, to ensure transparent, dispute-free elections and reduce the legal wrangles that have long plagued Indian sports bodies.
Athletes will now have a bigger say in governance, with all federations required to establish Athletes’ Committees and ensure a minimum of four women on every executive committee. Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) will be granted voting rights in National Sports Federations (NSFs), the Indian Olympic Association (NOC), and the Paralympic Committee of India (NPC).
A new National Sports Tribunal will be set up to resolve disputes swiftly, with appeals permitted only to the Supreme Court. In cases where a federation is suspended, ad-hoc committees will take charge to prevent disruption in training and competitions.
The bill also aligns Indian sports governance with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters, positioning the country to host major global sporting events — including a potential bid for the 2036 Olympics.
Indian sports administration has long been marred by mismanagement, lack of transparency, and prolonged legal disputes — with over 350 court cases currently pending against various federations. By embedding gender equity, athlete representation, and transparent governance into law, the government aims to strengthen India’s standing as an emerging global sporting powerhouse.
