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Sports Act: Supreme Court asks BCCI—Why shouldn't the Board fall under the ambit of the new National Sports Governance Act?
The Supreme Court has sought an explanation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and state cricket associations as to why they should not come under the purview of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana raised this question while hearing petitions filed by the state associations.
The bench has asked the lawyers representing the BCCI and state associations to seek instructions on why the tenure and service conditions of their office-bearers should not be governed by this 2025 Act, which has already come into force.
BCCI's stance and the complexities regarding the Sports Act
While no official statement has been issued by the BCCI, the Board's position is clear from a previous affidavit filed in the Odisha High Court:
- Cricket not a notified sport: The Board argued that despite the enactment of the 2025 Act, cricket has not been notified as a 'designated sport' under it.
- No government financial aid: The Board has long maintained that it does not receive any grants or financial assistance from the government; therefore, the Act should not be binding upon it.
- Opposition to RTI and regulator: The new Act provides for a statutory regulator, and National Sports Federations falling under its ambit could come directly under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The BCCI has consistently opposed coming under the RTI ambit.
- Existing rules: Currently, the BCCI operates under the recommendations of the Lodha Committee—approved by the Supreme Court—which mandate a three-year cooling-off period for office-bearers after completing two consecutive terms.
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