Major Overhaul of Sports Governance Framework | Gist of Rajya Sabha TV / RSTV (now Sansad TV) - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025, introduced by Union Sports Minister Mansuk Mandavia, marks a landmark reform to modernize India’s sports ecosystem. Aimed at enhancing transparency, athlete empowerment, gender equality, accountability, and dispute resolution, the bill mandates athlete representation, women’s leadership roles, a National Sports Tribunal, and brings sports federations under the RTI Act. Discussed on Senset TV’s Perspective with sports lawyer Nandan Kamat, the bill aligns with global standards, positioning India for a competitive, inclusive sports future.

Key Features

• Athlete Representation: Mandates athletes in governance and policymaking bodies.
• Gender Parity: Requires at least four women in executive committees and safe sport policies.
• National Sports Tribunal: Establishes a specialized forum for swift dispute resolution.
• RTI Inclusion: Brings sports federations under the RTI Act for transparency.
• Global Alignment: Conforms to Olympic/Paralympic charters and international best practices.
• Unified Structure: Creates a cohesive governance framework via a National Sports Board.

Key Highlights

• Landmark Legislation: First formal sports governance bill in India.
• Athlete-Centric: Empowers athletes through meaningful governance roles.
• Gender Inclusion: Mandates women’s leadership and safe sport policies.
• Tribunal Innovation: Specialized body for expedited sports dispute resolution.
• Transparency Boost: RTI inclusion ensures public accountability.
• Global Standards: Aligns with Olympic/Paralympic governance norms.
• Implementation Focus: Success hinges on capacity building and stakeholder collaboration.

Key Insights

1. Unified Governance Framework
   The bill addresses fragmentation among government, federations, and affiliates, fostering a cohesive structure to streamline administration and align stakeholders toward common goals.

2. Athlete Empowerment
   Placing athletes at the core of governance ensures policies reflect their experiences, but effective participation requires robust training to avoid tokenism and maximize impact.

3. Specialized Dispute Resolution
   The National Sports Tribunal, modeled on global practices like FIFA’s dispute chambers, ensures swift, fair resolution, minimizing disruptions to athletes’ careers.

4. Gender Equality and Safety
   Mandating women’s leadership and safe sport policies enforces inclusivity and protection, fostering a supportive environment for female and minor athletes.

5. Transparency via RTI
   Including sports federations under the RTI Act enhances public scrutiny, balancing autonomy with accountability in their quasi-public role.

6. Global Alignment
   Compliance with Olympic/Paralympic charters strengthens India’s international standing, facilitating cooperation with global sports bodies.

7. Implementation Challenges
   Past reform failures highlight the need for capacity building, leadership, and monitoring to translate the bill’s vision into tangible change.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Challenges: Overcoming past reform failures, ensuring effective athlete training, and balancing autonomy with accountability.
• Opportunities: Building a world-class sports ecosystem, enhancing global competitiveness, and fostering inclusivity through athlete and gender-focused reforms.

Conclusion

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 is a transformative step toward a modern, equitable, and globally competitive sports ecosystem in India. By prioritizing athlete empowerment, gender parity, transparency, and dispute resolution, it aligns with international standards. Effective implementation through capacity building and stakeholder collaboration is crucial to realizing its potential, positioning India as a leading sporting nation by 2047.