By Ravi - Jul 23, 2025 02:48 PM
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will also now be a part of the National Sports Administration Bill. Of course, the BCCI is not dependent on financial support from the government, but it will have to seek recognition from the proposed National Sports Board. A Sports Ministry source has confirmed to India Today that the BCCI will now come under the purview of the National Sports Bill. This was expected after Team India's participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In order to improve the sports ecosystem in India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has introduced a draft Sports Bill. With its implementation, BCCI is expected to come under its purview as a national sports federation.
A source told PTI The BCCI will remain an autonomous body like all other NSFs, but disputes related to them will be resolved by the proposed National Sports Tribunal. This bill does not mean government control over any NSF. Rather, the government will play an important role in ensuring good governance.
Until 2019, the BCCI was not recognised as a national sports federation. In 2020 it came under the purview of the Right to Information Act. After the inclusion of the BCCI in the new Sports Bill, the cricket board will come under the purview of all the rules and regulations of the Sports Ministry. It remains to be seen whether the Lodha Committee recommendations, including provisions such as age limit and conflict of interest, will remain in force.
This draft has been prepared after several failed attempts. Its aim is to protect the players and officials and create a dispute-free environment in the sports world. This will strengthen the country's credibility for the 2036 Olympic Games.
According to a report in India Today, the bill aims to improve gender representation by making it mandatory for each executive committee to have at least four women. This body will act as a dedicated mechanism to resolve sports-related disputes. Its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.
The Sports Administration Bill has been prepared to bring significant changes in Indian sports. Under this, a National Sports Board will be established. It will have the power to suspend sports federations on complaints or on its own initiative. This proposed body, fully appointed by the Central Government, will have the power to take action on many issues.
The National Sports Board will be headed by a chairman. Some members will be included through a selection process overseen by the government. The Sports Secretary or Cabinet Secretary will head the selection committee. It will include a decorated sportsperson who has received the Arjuna, Khel Ratna or Dronacharya award, two former top officials of national federations and the director general of the authority, India Today reported, citing the draft report.
Also Read: Cricket In Los Angeles Olympics 2028: how many teams will participate?
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