National Sports Governance Bill to be Enforced Within Six Months: Govt Gains Power Over Global Participation

NEW DELHI: India’s newly approved National Sports Governance Bill — described as the most significant reform in sports administration since Independence — will be fully operational within six months, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed. Work on drafting rules and setting up the required infrastructure is already underway.

“This legislation will be implemented at the earliest possible date, with all procedures completed within the next six months,” Mandaviya told PTI in his first interview since the bill cleared both Houses of Parliament.

The law establishes the National Sports Board and a dedicated Sports Tribunal to improve transparency and accountability in sports governance. One of its most notable provisions grants the government discretionary authority to restrict India’s participation in international events during extraordinary situations.

Mandaviya clarified that this clause is a safeguard seen in sports regulations worldwide. “It applies to rare scenarios — such as national security threats, diplomatic boycotts, or global emergencies — and is not targeted at any specific nation,” he said.

The minister acknowledged the difficulties in bringing the bill to fruition, including over 350 ongoing court cases related to sports, the need to balance the Olympic Charter’s principle of autonomy with accountability, and varying levels of professionalism among national sports federations. He credited the eventual consensus to “more than 60 rounds of structured consultations” with state sports ministers, national federations, athletes, and coaches.

“This reflects the Modi government’s clarity in protecting national interest while upholding global sporting obligations.” he added.

Former sports minister Ajay Maken, who had drafted an earlier version in 2011, was also consulted. Mandaviya recalled that while Maken’s proposal reached the cabinet in 2013, “vested interests within NSFs” blocked its passage at the time, resisting government oversight.