Lok Sabha Passes National Sports Bill, Bringing BCCI Under Regulatory Framework

The National Sports Governance Bill has been successfully passed by the Lok Sabha, despite the protests and disruptions witnessed in the parliament. The bill, spearheaded by Youth and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, aims to bring all sports organizations under a unified framework. Notably, the autonomous BCCI will also be included within the scope of this new legislation. While the financial aspects of the BCCI are exempted from the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the bill focuses on aspects such as administrative procedures, operational practices, and selection transparency. All national sports federations are mandated to adhere to the country’s laws, even if they do not receive financial assistance from the ministry. The new act encompasses a wide range of entities, including the National Olympic Association, the National Paralympic Association, national and regional sports federations, and bodies at the state and district levels, placing them under the purview of the Ministry of Sports.