Single Biggest Sports Reform Since Independence: Mandaviya On Passage Of New Bill
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday hailed Parliament’s passage of the National Sports Governance Bill as the “single biggest reform in Indian sports since Independence”.
Describing the National Sports Governance Bill and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill as “historic milestones,” Mandaviya said the measures would overhaul sports administration and enhance India’s medal prospects.
“Today, Parliament has passed the Sports Bill. It is a part of PM Modi’s structural reforms in the sports sector. I believe this bill is historic and will change the direction of the country’s sports in the coming days,” Mandaviya told ANI.
He said provisions in the sports governance bill would create an ecosystem to lift India into the top 10 in major international events within the next decade. “India should be among the top five sporting nations in terms of medals by 2047,” he added.
“Through the bill, it has been ensured that our sports system is athlete-centric. Good governance will come to the sports federations through this bill. With this bill, dispute resolution will be fast and time-bound. Women will get representation in the federation and in the Ethics Commission,” Mandaviya said.
The bill creates an independent National Sports Board to replace ministry oversight, sets up a National Sports Tribunal for speedy dispute resolution, mandates women’s representation, caps executive committees at 15 members, and limits office bearers to three terms with an age cap of 70 (75 in special cases). Sports bodies will come under the Right to Information Act and must adopt safe sport policies.
The anti-doping amendment transfers the power to appoint the Appeal Panel, which hears challenges to disciplinary rulings, from the National Board to the central government.
The reforms follow repeated calls from the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court for a comprehensive governance framework, with more than 350 legal disputes affecting sports bodies. The government says the measures will bring transparency, accountability and stability as India targets hosting the 2036 Olympics and aims to emerge as a sporting superpower.
