President Indian Olympic Association (IOA) PT Usha on Tuesday has expanded her unambiguous support to the National Sport Administration Act and stated that it will end the “stagnant status quo” and bring “transparency and responsibility” to the country’s sporting administration.
During the discussion on the bill in Rajya Sabha – Lok Sabha – Usha praised its provision, including the establishment of the National Sports Council (NSB) with the prevailing powers to recognize the National Sports Federation (NSF). Association to NSB would be mandatory for federation to access central financing.
The bill also proposes to establish a national sports tribunal, which would deal with sports disputes and the national panel of sports election elections, which supervised public opinion surveys. “Today is the day of immense personal and national importance. I have long waited for this moment,” said USha, who sat along with the nominated member of Sudha Murtha, said the house.
Last year, Usha opposed the bill and called the intervention of the government and the warning that India could face the ban on the International Olympic Committee. Since then, however, she has revised her attitude after extensive consultations with the Minister of Sport Mansukh Mandaviya.
“Let me take you back to 1984, I was only 20, when I missed the Olympic medal in Los Angeles. That day my heart broke … There was no comprehensive sports law to support the dreams we carried in our hearts.
“Since then, four decades have passed, there has been nothing to solve the stagnant current state … Today, hope has turned into action and legislation. It is a visionary and a long delayed law,” she said.
“This bill will have transparency, responsibility and gender parity. It will strengthen athletes and build confidence between sponsors and federation. It is justice and a fair game,” Usha added.
She stressed that the focus of the law on the creation of a structured administrative arrangement would be essential for the Indian offer to host the Olympic Games 2036.
“This legislation comes at a time when India dreams of big and dreams of its justified share of the global sports fraternity by hosting the Olympic Games 2036. It is not just an account for Bharat, but it is a Clarion challenge for action,” she said.
“This bill is a critical pillar of a great vision. We will see it as a moral promise, the promise that athletes will no longer be released by an apathetic system. As someone who ran on the footsteps of clay tracks … I can say that this law will change lives,” she said.
Usha also expressed its support for the National Anti -Doping Act (amendment), which reaffirms the operational independence of the National Anti -Doping Agency while creating the National Anti -Doping Council to advise procedural issues.
“It is because of such an effective legislation that we can bring a new culture of clean sports. This law will explain the path of athletes with clarity,” Usha said.
– ends
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
August 12, 2025
