National Sports Governance Bill 2024

About Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024

• Objectives:
  • Development and promotion of sports and welfare measures for sportspersons.
  • Establishment of ethical and good governance practices in sports federations.
  • Creation of an equitable system for resolving sports disputes.

What are the Key Features?

• Sports Regulatory Board of India: A central authority for regulating and recognising National Sports Federations (NSFs).
  • Ensures compliance with governance, financial, and ethical standards.
  • Flexibility in recognising NSFs without fixed formulas.
• Governance Structure: Alignment of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), and NSF with international policies while protecting national interests.
  • Restricts Executive Committee (EC) size to 15 members.
  • Encourages NSFs to have full-time professional management headed by a CEO.
  • NSFs must ensure good governance in all constituent units.
• Ethical and Governance Standards: Mandatory establishment of Ethics Commissions and Dispute Resolution Commissions at all levels (NOC, NPC, and NSF).
  • Emphasises transparency, fairness, and integrity in decision-making.
• Athletes Commissions: Mandates Athletes Commissions in the NOC, NPC, and NSFs to give athletes a platform for participation in decision-making and policy formulation.
  • Provision for additional government funding to these commissions.
• Athlete Representation: Ensures 10% of voting members in the General Body of the NOC, NPC, and NSFs are sportspersons of outstanding merit (SOMs).
  • At least two SOMs (one male and one female) must serve on the Executive Committee.
• Safe Sport Policy: Introduces a policy focusing on protecting athletes, especially minors and women, from harassment and abuse.
  • Adheres to the POSH Act, 2013.
• National Sports Promotion Organisations (NSPOs): Establishes guidelines for recognising NSPOs that work towards sports governance and athlete development.
  • Provides a framework for NGOs and private organisations to contribute.
• Appellate Sports Tribunal: A dedicated tribunal for sports-related disputes, reducing reliance on civil courts and ensuring faster dispute resolution.
• Ad-hoc Normalisation Committees: Allows the Sports Regulatory Board to form ad-hoc normalisation committees in case of non-compliance or suspension of federations.
• Anti-Doping and Ethical Standards: Strong focus on anti-doping measures and adherence to international anti-doping rules.
  • Federations must formulate Codes of Ethics aligned with the IOC Code of Ethics.
• Public Accountability and Transparency: Ensures transparency by subjecting NOC, NPC, and NSFs to the RTI Act, with certain exclusions like performance and medical data.
• Gender Representation: Mandates 30% gender representation in Executive Committees, promoting gender equality and inclusivity in sports governance.
• Sports Election Panel: Establishes a panel for overseeing free and fair elections within sports bodies, comprising experienced electoral officers.
• Use of National Name and Insignia: Only recognized bodies can use national symbols– Indian Flag and national names.
  • Penalties for violations (up to one year imprisonment or ₹10 lakhs fine).

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