On 1 July 2025, at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, a high-level Indian delegation faced a stern reality check. The IOC voiced serious concerns over the persistent mismanagement, corruption, and governance issues within India's sports bodies. It flagged India's rampant doping problem, inconsistent Olympic performances, and the overall lack of accountability in sports administration. This intervention was not unexpected.
For years, Indian sports bodies have operated in a largely opaque and self-serving manner, governed by internal constitutions and court orders rather than any comprehensive legal framework. In this context, the Government of India's introduction of the 'National Sports Governance Bill, 2025' marks a historic and much-needed step towards ensuring transparency, athlete welfare, and alignment with global standards.
Reform Anchored in Structure
At the core of the new legislation are three institutional mechanisms designed to restructure India's sports governance:
These bodies are envisioned to work in synergy to ensure fairness, ethical conduct, democratic functioning, and efficient conflict resolution in Indian sports.
Pillar for Development and Welfare
The National Sports Board will function as the apex policy and oversight body for sports development in India. Comprising experts such as former athletes, legal professionals, administrators, and representatives of civil society, the NSB will be responsible for:
Importantly, the board is expected to play a proactive role in addressing age fraud and doping, two critical issues that continue to damage the credibility of Indian sports.
With centralised verification systems and stricter monitoring, the NSB aims to restore integrity in athlete participation.
Democracy in Sports Federations
India's sports federations have long been plagued by non-transparent elections, unopposed selections, lifetime tenures, and nepotism.
The National Sports Election Panel (NSEP) is proposed as a key reform instrument to enforce democratic, fair, and time-bound elections in National Sports Federations (NSFs) and other governing bodies.
The NSEP will lay down guidelines and supervise the electoral processes independently, minimising external influence and internal manipulation. If executed successfully, this reform can foster greater legitimacy and trust in how sports bodies are managed. However, the real challenge lies in implementation, given the entrenched power dynamics. Yet, if achieved, it would indeed be a dream come true for Indian sports.
Towards Fair and Speedy Justice
Perhaps the most game-changing aspect of the bill is the establishment of the National Sports Tribunal (NST), a specialised legal body for resolving disputes related to sports. From selection controversies and contract disputes to disciplinary actions and doping cases, the NST will offer:
The NST aligns India with international best practices in sports jurisprudence, as seen in countries like the UK and Australia. It is a major step in ensuring that athletes and sports professionals have a trusted platform for justice. The Hon'ble Supreme Court and High Courts should not entertain any litigation unless the parties have first exhausted the option of approaching the NST.
Promoting Fair Play
The bill takes inspiration from the Olympic and Paralympic Charters, which uphold the values of fairness, honesty, equality, and respect. Indian sports, unfortunately, has often been tainted by ethical lapses, including favouritism, corruption, age fraud, and banned substance use. To counter this, the Sports Governance Bill mandates:
These mechanisms are designed to restore public faith and ensure that sporting institutions serve national interests, not individual fiefdoms.
Autonomy with Accountability
Crucially, the bill strikes a delicate balance between respecting the independence of sports federations and ensuring they operate transparently and ethically. As per the Olympic Charter, sports bodies must be autonomous and self-governing. The Indian Government respects this principle but emphasises that autonomy must coexist with accountability. The role of the National Sports Board will be that of a facilitator, not a controller, ensuring cooperative, standards-driven, and ethically sound governance.
Tackling Age Fraud
India continues to struggle with age manipulation in junior-level sports and a growing doping crisis. According to a WADA 10-year study, India ranks second globally in the number of doping violations. A recent ‘Economic Times’ article revealed that India also has the highest positivity rate (3.8 per cent) for banned substances among major countries. The bill proposes creating specialised units within the NSB to:
If rigorously implemented, this could position India as a global example of clean and fair sport.
A Law Born Out of Urgency
The ‘National Sports Governance Bill, 2025’ is not merely a policy document; it is a visionary legal framework aimed at transforming the Indian sporting landscape.
For too long, India's athletes have been at the mercy of the sports federations and have borne the brunt of systemic flaws; this bill recognises their right to fairness, support, and justice. It is rooted in the understanding that sports organisations perform public functions that directly impact national pride, youth development, and global perception. Hence, they must operate openly, ethically, and in the public interest.
The 'National Sports Governance Bill, 2025' holds the potential to be a watershed moment for India's sports ecosystem. Through its tripartite reform structure — NSB, NSEP, and NST — it promises accountability, professionalism, and athlete — first governance. Its success will depend not just on enforcement but also on the political will and cultural shift within Indian sports institutions.
If implemented both in letter and spirit, the bill can elevate India to global leadership in sports governance, paving the way for cleaner competitions, empowered athletes, and a sporting system that the nation can be proud of.
(Ashok Kumar is Vice Chancellor Sports University of Haryana and Alaknanda Ashok is Joint Secretary of Indian Olympic Association)