Our Bureau
New Delhi
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be brought under the ambit of the National Sports Governance Bill (NSGB), set for introduction in Parliament on Wednesday, according to a top source from the Sports Ministry. Though BCCI does not receive government funding, it will be required to obtain recognition from the proposed National Sports Board (NSB) and abide by the legislation once enacted, ensuring its compliance as a National Sports Federation (NSF) under Indian law.
The Bill aims to establish a robust framework for governance in sports bodies, instituting timely elections, administrative accountability, athlete welfare, and reduction in litigation. BCCI will remain autonomous but will be subject to the National Sports Tribunal, a new dispute resolution body covering issues such as elections and selections. The Tribunal’s rulings can only be challenged in the Supreme Court, speeding up justice and protecting athletes from prolonged legal battles.
The NSB, appointed entirely by the central government, will hold sweeping powers including granting or suspending recognition to federations for violations such as electoral irregularities or financial misappropriation. Its members will be selected through a search committee comprising senior government officials and prominent sports personalities. The Bill makes allowances for administrators up to 75 years old in alignment with international bodies and respects the Olympic Charter’s supremacy in electoral matters.
Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a T20 sport has integrated BCCI deeper into the Olympic movement, adding impetus to formalize its governance under the NSGB. The Bill is described as “athlete-centric,” aiming for stable administration, fair selection, safe sports environments, audit compliance, and improved fund management. The government stresses that this legislation is a facilitator of good governance, not an instrument of control, with consensus from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
