The National Sports Governance Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday at a time when India is planning to make a bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya termed it as the single biggest reform for Indian sports since Independence, and said it will ensure development of the Indian sports ecosystem on par with international standards. The Bill aims to strengthen governance at all recognised national sports bodies. BCCI, too, will come under the ambit of the Bill, but RTI-related provisions will not be applicable on the cricket board. “It is the single biggest reform in sports since independence. This Bill will ensure accountability, ensure justice, best governance in sports federations,” said Mandaviya. “In the coming days, when India is going to bid for the Olympics, it is important that our sports ecosystem is robust, transparent and accountable. This is a crucial step in that direction,” he added. “...as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major international competitions,” the Bill stated. The Sports Governance Bill has provisions for a National Sports Board (NSB) to create a stringent system of accountability. All National Sports Federations (NSFs) will have to attain NSB’s recognition for access to Central government funding. The Bill also has provisions for setting up for a National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court and decide on disputes ranging from selection to election involving federations and athletes. Once instituted, the tribunal’s decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. The government recently made an amendment in the Bill to ensure that RTI would be applicable only on bodies that rely on government funding or support. So, while BCCI comes under the ambit of the Bill, it will be exempt from RTI-related provisions. The Bill makes some concessions on the issue of age cap for administrators by allowing those in the bracket of 70 to 75 to contest elections if the concerned international bodies’ statutes and bylaws allow for it. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025 on Monday. Published on August 11, 2025