Lok Sabha Passes National Sports Governance Bill and National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill, Sports Minister Hails It As Biggest Sports Reform

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New Delhi, August 11: In a landmark move, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed the long-awaited National Sports Governance Bill, hailed by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya as the "single biggest reform in Indian sports since independence".

The bill, passed amid opposition protests over electoral roll revisions in Bihar, seeks to overhaul governance and accountability in Indian sports federations.

The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill was also cleared when the House reconvened at 2 pm, following an earlier adjournment. Both bills aim to build a transparent, accountable, and globally competitive sports ecosystem as India sets its sights on bidding for the 2036 Summer Olympics.

Mandaviya emphasised the historical significance of the legislation: "Efforts have been made since 1975, but sports was politicised for personal gains. This bill will ensure justice, accountability, and best governance in sports federations."

Under the National Sports Governance Bill, a new National Sports Board (NSB) will regulate National Sports Federations (NSFs). NSFs must secure NSB recognition to access central government funding, with the NSB empowered to de-recognise bodies over election irregularities, financial mismanagement, or failure to hold timely elections.

The bill also proposes a National Sports Tribunal with civil court powers to resolve disputes involving athletes and federations, whose decisions can only be appealed in the Supreme Court.

Key reforms include:

• Bringing recognised sports bodies under the Right to Information (RTI) Act (with exceptions for bodies not funded by the government, such as the BCCI).
• Adjusting the age limit for sports administrators to 75, if permitted by international statutes.
• Enhancing financial accountability for public sports funds.

The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025 incorporates changes sought by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to preserve the operational independence of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). A controversial oversight provision has been removed to address WADA's concerns over government interference.

Opposition MPs, detained earlier during protests, returned to the House mid-session but continued sloganeering as the bills were passed by voice vote.

Mandaviya framed the reforms as essential for India's Olympic ambitions: "To bid for the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, we must transform our sports governance to deliver excellence and improve international performance."

What It Means?

This bill is essentially a new rulebook for how sports are run in India.

• For federations: They must follow strict rules on elections, finances, and transparency to get government funding.
• For athletes: There's now a dedicated tribunal to settle disputes quickly, instead of going through long legal processes.
• For doping control: The anti-doping body (NADA) will operate independently, as required by world anti-doping rules.
• For governance: Sports bodies that misuse funds or fail to follow democratic processes can lose official recognition.
• For transparency: Most sports bodies will have to share information publicly under the RTI Act.

The Bill is aimed at cleaning up corruption, improving fairness, and boosting India's chances of doing well on the global stage-especially with an eye on hosting the 2036 Olympics.