In what can be interpreted as a relief to BCCI, the Ministry of Sport has changed RTI related to the provisions of the National Sport Management Act and only placed the authorities under its ambition that relies on government grants and assistance.
The bill was submitted to Lok Sabha by the Minister of Sports Mansukh Mandaviya 23.
RTI was a problem for BCCi, which was constantly stood up, because the board of directors is not dependent on government funds, unlike most other national sports federations (NSF).
The amendment proposed in the bill will effectively terminate this concern.
“The altered clause defines public authority as a subject that relies on government funds or assistance. With this change, there is a clear definition of what is public authority,” said a well -placed PTI source.
“If it were not done, it would be a gray area that could lead to the law to rise or have been questioned in court. So everything that includes public money falls under the RTI. It defines specifics,” he added.
“And although the national sports body does not take government funds, they can still be questioned if government aid is involved in the behavior or operation of its events. Because government aid is not only financial resources, it is also an infrastructure,” he explained.
BCCI said earlier that she would study the bill before he commented on his provisions.
As soon as the bill becomes an act, the BCCI will have to register as NSF as the cricket has become an Olympic sport that is set up for debut in 2028 in T20.
The bill has the provisions of the National Sports Council (NSB) to create a strict liability system and all NSF will have to achieve the NSB recognition for access to the financing of the Central Government.
Another significant aspect is the National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of the Civic Court and will decide disputes from the choice to the election concerning federations and athletes. After introduction, the tribunal decision may only be questioned in the Supreme Court.
The bill carries out several concessions regarding the age ceiling of administrators by allowing those who are in parentheses of 70 to 75, to attack the elections if the international authorities and Byelaws are allowed. It is a move away from the National Sports Code, which has limited the age limit to 70 years.
“… in the preparatory activities for the 2036 Summer Olympics offer, it is essential that the sports administrative environment goes through a positive transformation to bring better results, sporting perfection and help in improved performance in the main international competitions,” he reads.
The NSB will include the chairman and its members will be appointed by the central government “between persons of abilities, integrity and position”.
The appointment would be made on the recommendation of the Search Committee, which would consist of the Minister of Cabinet or Secretary as Chairman, the CEO of the Indian Sports Office, two sports administrators who each served as the president or secretary of the General or Treasurer of the National Sports body and one important athlete who is Dronacharya or Khel ACTuree.
The NSB will have a mandate to abolish the recognition of the national authority, which cannot organize elections for its Executive Committee or commit “gross inconsistencies of electoral procedures”.
Not publishing annual audited accounts or “misuse, incorrect or abuse of public funds” would also respond to the NSB action, but it would be necessary to consult with the global authority before carrying out.
– ends
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
August 6, 2025
