New Legislation Aims to Overhaul Sports Governance and Combat Doping in India

The Rajya Sabha has passed landmark legislation aimed at reforming sports governance and strengthening anti-doping measures. The National Sports Governance Bill seeks to modernize the administration of sports in India. It focuses on enhancing transparency, athlete welfare, and adherence to ethical standards. The bill introduces a legal framework designed to resolve sports-related disputes effectively. This is a pivotal move to address inconsistencies in policies and judicial rulings. The existing confusion has been affecting the smooth functioning of sporting federations, with numerous legal cases disrupting activities. With the passage of the bill, a unified legal mechanism will be put in place to bring order to the sector. The bill aligns with the vision of India as a future host of the Olympics. The legislation addresses issues like conflicting court orders, issues in elections of sports federations, factionalism, biased selection, and a lack of standardization which have affected Indian sports. India is looking to join countries with strong sports laws. The goal is to end instability and foster a culture that is clean, athlete-focused, and transparent. The bill also introduces measures like the National Sports Board (NSB) for regulatory oversight, a National Sports Tribunal for dispute resolution, and a National Sports Election Panel to ensure fair elections. Additionally, it mandates ethics committees for sports federations and incorporates a Safe Sports Policy.