National Sports Governance will Transform Governance in Indian Sports Sector:

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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju anticipates that the National Sports Governance Bill, set for introduction in the upcoming monsoon session, will significantly impact India's sports landscape.

Rijiju, who served as the Union Sports Minister from 2019 to 2021, played a key role in building consensus for this bill by engaging with sports administrators and stakeholders across the country.

Rijiju expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary approach to transforming the sports sector. "It's a historic bill coming for the sporting community. I must thank Prime Minister Narendra Modiji for having such a visionary idea about transforming the sports sector," he stated. The bill aims to establish a framework for good governance within National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Regulatory Board and Governance

The proposed legislation includes forming a regulatory board with authority over recognition and funding of NSFs based on governance standards. This board will ensure compliance with high governance, financial, and ethical standards. Discussions with NSFs have been ongoing for years, intensifying after Mansukh Mandviya took charge last year.

The bill also suggests creating Ethics Commissions and Dispute Resolution Commissions to enhance transparency and reduce litigation. Such measures aim to prevent conflicts between athletes and administrators over issues like selection and elections. However, the IOA opposes the regulatory board, fearing it might undermine its authority as the central body for NSFs.

Concerns from IOA

Current IOA President P T Usha has voiced concerns that India risks suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to perceived government interference. Despite these concerns, Mandaviya assures that the IOC was consulted during the drafting process. This consultation is vital as India aims to host the Olympics in 2036.

Rijiju remains optimistic about the bill's passage in Parliament, advocating for sports administrators' autonomy coupled with increased accountability. He mentioned two other significant matters: Khelo Bharat Niti and an anti-doping amendment bill. Both are expected to be discussed in Parliament alongside the sports governance bill.

Anti-Doping Amendments

The anti-doping act, initially passed in 2022, faced implementation delays due to objections from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA opposed a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports, which was empowered to advise on anti-doping regulations. The amended bill has removed this provision to align with WADA's requirements.

The original provision allowed a government-appointed board to oversee the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and issue directives. WADA viewed this as government interference in an autonomous body. By removing this clause, the amended bill seeks compliance with international standards.

Once enacted, Rijiju believes the new sports bill will foster a fresh sporting culture in India. He highlighted Khelo India's role in promoting sports culture nationwide. The integration of anti-doping measures and governance reforms is expected to strengthen India's sports framework significantly.

With inputs from PTI