Can Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 transform Indian sports landscape?

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recently released the Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 to overhaul India’s age-old sports landscape.

The bill is currently open for consultation with various stakeholders, including the National Sports Federations (NSFs), the National Olympic Committee (NOC), the National Paralympic Committee (NPC), and the citizenry.

With India making serious efforts to win the right to host the 2036 Olympic Games, these proposed policies are expected to significantly boost sports organizations and participants.

Indian sports administration has long been plagued by issues such as lack of transparency, corruption, misogyny, and conflicts of interest.

These challenges, to say the least, have hindered the growth of sports in the country for several years.

Thus, the new bill aims to introduce systemic reforms that could streamline functioning at the top and grassroots levels, fostering Olympic-standard infrastructure and individual excellence in various sports disciplines.

Historical context

The Indian government established a dedicated Department of Sports in 1982 to address the need for infrastructure development, talent identification, and event organization, spurred by the desire to host the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

Initially, the department operated under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Human Resource Development since 1985. The Department of Sports evolved into a separate Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2000, 53 years after independence.

The first National Sports Policy was introduced in 1984 and later revised in 2001 and 2011. However, these policies failed to address the entrenched issues of poor governance, unprofessionalism, and power struggles within sports federations.

In response to these persistent challenges, the Sports Ministry issued comprehensive guidelines in 1975, 1988, 1997, and 2001, which culminated in the National Sports Development Code of 2011, commonly known as the “Sports Code.” This code was upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2012.

This is not the government’s first attempt to introduce a transformative sports bill. In 2013, the UPA government presented the Draft National Sports Development Bill, which sought to codify sports governance but was ultimately shelved.

Recent judicial interventions in the affairs of Indian sports federations have further highlighted the need for reform. Issues such as factionalism, lack of athlete welfare mechanisms, leadership rivalries, and delays in holding elections have even led to suspensions by international federations.

Key features of the new Bill

The Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024, introduced by the NDA government, focuses on promoting modern, flexible, and empowered sports administration.

Unlike the 2013 bill, which concentrated on overall sports development, the new bill emphasizes building institutional capacity and governance standards for NSFs in alignment with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters.

Notably, the bill clarifies that in cases of interpretational conflict, the rules of the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees will take precedence.

A significant provision of the bill is the establishment of the Sports Regulatory Board of India (SRBI). This body will be responsible for managing governance standards, overseeing athlete welfare, and handling recognition and enforcement.

The SRBI aims to ensure that the functioning of NSFs remains transparent and accountable. However, a key concern is the role of the IOA.

Granting more power to the SRBI could undermine the IOA's autonomy. If that happens, the International Olympic Committee is unlikely to remain passive, as this would violate the Olympic Charter.

In response to the recent wrestlers’ protest, a matter that put the ministry under the scanner, the bill mandates that NSFs align with the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013.

This requires federations to establish internal grievance mechanisms for athletes and coaches, addressing safety concerns and ensuring a secure environment for female athletes.

To reduce judicial intervention in sports matters - which often invites scrutiny from international bodies - the bill proposes the creation of an Appellate Sports Tribunal.

This tribunal will facilitate dispute resolution within sports administration, streamlining the process and preserving the autonomy of sports federations.

A transformative step?

The bill also aims to democratise sports governance by mandating that 30 per cent of the Executive Committee members be women and that at least 10 per cent be sportspersons of outstanding merit.

Additionally, any Indian citizen over the age of 25 will be eligible to contest elections for the Executive Committee. This move promotes transparency, inclusivity, and athlete participation in decision-making processes.

If implemented effectively, the Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 could significantly transform the Indian sports ecosystem.

By addressing longstanding issues of governance, athlete welfare, and gender representation, the bill holds the potential to pave the way for India’s sporting excellence on the global stage.

The introduction of regulatory bodies, grievance mechanisms, and inclusive policies marks a decisive step towards a more transparent, accountable, and progressive sports administration.

As India aspires to host the 2036 Olympics, these reforms are not just necessary but critical.

However, only time will tell if the bill’s provisions are enforced in letter and spirit, but if they are, India’s sports landscape could finally achieve the growth and recognition it deserves.