No term cap? Appellate Panel as Draft Sports Bill set to usher in changes

IF the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2024, is passed, Indian sports governance is expected to change, hopefully for the better. The multiple court cases that are going on against various federations due to violation of National Sports Development Code of India (2011) might also see an end if all National Sports Federations change their constitution according to the provisions of this Bill. The sports ministry has sought public opinion on the Bill on its website. The proposed Bill envisages the formation of a Sports Regulatory Board of India to oversee the functioning of the National Olympic Committee (NOC), National Sports Federations (NSFs) and other sports bodies of the country. Apart from that, the establishment of an Appellate Sports Tribunal to try all cases that come under the provision of the proposed sports Bill is another highlight. This will stop cases from going to lower and High Courts.

- INDRANEEL DAS

On the tenure issue, however, there seems to be an ambiguity. Earlier, according to the newly-amended Indian Olympic Association constitution, there is a cap of three terms (maximum 12 years) for an office bearer. Also, the constitution says that an office bearer has to step down for cooling off after finishing two four-year terms. The Draft Bill says: "An individual who has served as a Designated Office Bearer of the NOC, for more than two consecutive terms, each term not exceeding four (4) years, shall not be eligible to contest for a Designated Office Bearer post for a period of four years after last serving as a Designated Office Beare