National Sports Governance Bill, 2025: Step Towards Making India Sporting Superpower

Opinion

- DR. DEEVANSHU SHRIVASTAVA AND DR. SUBHRAJIT CHANDA

The introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, marks a watershed moment in India's sporting history, offering a long-overdue solution to the systemic rot that has hindered the nation's athletic potential for decades. For too long, Indian sports have been shackled by inept administration, financial irregularities, and a glaring lack of accountability, with federations functioning as personal fiefdoms rather than institutions dedicated to nurturing talent.

This bill, with its bold and comprehensive reforms, is a beacon of hope—a decisive step toward transforming India into a true sporting nation. At its core, the legislation acknowledges that the problem has never been a shortage of talent, but rather the absence of a robust governance framework to effectively harness it. By mandating transparency, accountability, and athlete-centric policies, the bill addresses the root causes of dysfunction, paving the way for a future where sports administration is professional, meritocratic, and free from political machinations.

One of the most transformative aspects of the bill is its emphasis on governance reforms, which directly target the cronyism and infighting that have plagued organizations like the BCCI, IOA, and various national sports federations. By instituting term limits for officials, independent election committees, and strict financial auditing, the bill ensures that power cannot be monopolized by a select few, thereby democratizing decision-making and reducing internal conflicts.