New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) The landmark National Sports Governance Bill, now passed smoothly through Parliament, will be put into action within the next six months, according to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Preparations, including rule drafting and infrastructure identification, are already in progress.
In an exclusive interview following the bill's approval by both houses, Mandaviya justified a controversial provision granting the government discretionary power to impose restrictions on international participation of Indian teams and athletes only in "extraordinary circumstances". He described it as a "standard safeguard".
"We aim to implement this bill swiftly, completing all procedures for full adherence within six months," Mandaviya stated from his residence.
With this bill, India joins 21 countries having a sports law. Key features include the establishment of a National Sports Board (NSB) to grant affiliation to National Sports Federations (NSFs), a National Sports Tribunal (NST) for dispute resolution, and a National Sports Election Panel (NSEP) to oversee NSF elections.
"The required positions and administrative approvals will follow processes outlined by the Department of Personnel and Training and the Department of Expenditure," explained Mandaviya. "Our focus is to make these institutions operational as quickly as possible while complying with legal and procedural norms," he reiterated, emphasizing the bill as "the most significant sports reform since independence."
The bill has garnered the support of NSFs and athletes, with the Indian Olympic Association endorsing it after detailed discussions.
With the bill's introduction, the government's unspoken authority over India's participation in international events is now formalized. This is particularly relevant in scenarios like those with arch-rival Pakistan during high border tension periods, as experienced after the Pahalgam terror attack. However, Mandaviya clarified that this authority is not targeted at any specific country.
"The provision enabling the government to halt international participation is a usual safeguard found in global sports laws, meant for extraordinary situations," Mandaviya noted. "It involves national security issues, diplomatic boycotts, or global emergencies."
Mandaviya used the example of the lack of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, with major matches often held at neutral venues, reflecting broader government policy and security assessments.
"The Act codifies the government's capacity to act decisively and legally in such cases, aligning decisions with India's Olympic Charter commitments and international sports bodies' standards," he said. "This illustrates the Modi government's commitment to balancing national interests with global sporting obligations."
During the bill's development, Mandaviya faced challenges addressing fragmented legal frameworks, autonomy demands versus accountability needs, and varying operational capacities across federations.
Through over 60 discussions, including plenary meetings, one-on-one interactions, and a Chintan-Shivir with stakeholders like state sports ministers, consensus was reached. "I devoted entire days to NSF representatives, athletes, and coaches, providing detailed presentations to clarify the bill's clauses," Mandaviya shared.
Consultations included feedback from sports lawyers and insights from former sports minister Ajai Maken, who earlier tried to push a similar bill.
Regarding athletes' demands during consultations, Mandaviya revealed, "They sought representation, especially women athletes, emphasizing their legitimate need for inclusion." The bill stipulates the inclusion of at least four women and two outstanding athletes in NSF Executive Committees, capped at 15 members.
Looking forward, Mandaviya is optimistic about the transformative impact of the new law on India's sports landscape. The next focus is on developing a medal strategy to propel India into the top five global performers in the coming decades.
"We will soon introduce a sports medal strategy, outlining a roadmap for progress over the next five and 25 years," Mandaviya mentioned, noting that sports is considered a societal movement.
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