The Lok Sabha has passed the National Sports Governance Bill, hailed by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya as the biggest reform since the nation’s independence. The bill, passed amid opposition protests, promises to overhaul the country’s sporting framework with a focus on accountability, transparency, and good governance.
“This will ensure fairness and responsibility in sports federations and reshape India’s sporting future,” Mandaviya said, expressing disappointment over the opposition’s absence in passing such a critical legislation.
The bill makes it mandatory for all national sports federations to secure National Sports Board recognition to access central government funding. It also paves the way for a National Sports Tribunal—with civil court powers—to settle disputes over federation elections and athlete selection.
In a major boost to anti-doping efforts, the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill grants full autonomy to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), reinforcing India’s commitment to clean sports.
