In a significant development, a top source from the Sports Ministry confirmed to India Today on July 22, that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will now fall under the scope of the new National Sports Bill. While the BCCI has long maintained independence due to its lack of reliance on government funding, this move had been widely anticipated, especially with India’s cricket teams preparing to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports officially unveiled the draft of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, on Tuesday. The proposed legislation is being touted as a major step toward transforming India’s sports ecosystem.
What Is the National Sports Governance Bill?
The draft bill, introduced by the Sports Ministry, aims to overhaul the functioning of National Sports Federations (NSFs) and other sports bodies in India. It promises greater transparency, athlete-focused reforms, and the incorporation of international best practices into India’s sports governance system.
Years in the making, the bill seeks to ensure ethical conduct, protect the athletes’ rights, and foster a professional, dispute-free sporting environment. It also aims to bring India’s sports governance in line with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters, strengthening India’s case to host major global events, including a potential bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
A standout feature of the bill is its emphasis on putting athletes first. For the first time, sports-persons will be given a central role in policy-making. Every NSF, including the Indian Olympic Association and the National Paralympic Committee, will be required to form Athletes’ Committees giving athletes a formal platform to raise concerns and participate in key decisions.
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The bill also mandates that each sports federation’s Executive Committee include at least two athletes of proven international merit. In a bid to improve gender representation, every Executive Committee must include a minimum of four women members.
To tackle long-standing legal disputes in the sporting world, the bill proposes the creation of a National Sports Tribunal. This body will serve as a dedicated platform to resolve sports-related conflicts, with its rulings subject only to appeal in the Supreme Court – cutting down on delays that have derailed athletes’ careers in the past.
If any federation is suspended or loses official recognition, the newly proposed National Sports Board (NSB) will be empowered to step in by appointing an ad-hoc committee of experienced administrators. This will ensure that essential functions like training, team selection, and participation continue uninterrupted.
The NSB will be a central authority responsible for recognising NSFs and their state/district affiliates, ensuring compliance, overseeing governance, and managing the distribution of funds. By taking over these roles from the Ministry, the NSB aims to bring more professionalism and autonomy to India’s sports administration.
Transparency is another core pillar of the draft bill. All recognised sports bodies will fall under the ambit of the Right to Information Act, 2005, allowing greater public access to financial records and decisions.
Overall, the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, represents a major push to clean up India’s sports administration through structural reforms, accountability, and a clear athlete-first approach.
What Does This Mean for the BCCI?
The inclusion of the BCCI under this legislation marks a turning point for Indian cricket. As per the draft bill reviewed by PTI, officials will now have to comply with a revised age limit clause for eligibility to contest elections.
According to the bill, an individual must not be older than 70 years on the last date of nomination to be eligible for election or nomination to the Executive Committee. However, there’s a key provision that allows individuals aged between 70 and 75 to serve a full term if permitted by relevant international charters and statutes.
In practice, this could benefit BCCI President Roger Binny, who turned 70 on Saturday, July 19. Under the previous rules, he would have been ineligible to continue. But with the new bill expected to come into effect by August 2025, Binny may now be able to seek re-election and serve another full term possibly up to five years, if he meets the conditions outlined in international cricket governance frameworks.
Bringing autonomous bodies like the BCCI under its ambit, the draft Sports Bill aims to bring about a long-awaited cultural shift in Indian sports governance. As the country looks toward international sporting ambitions, including the 2028 Olympics and a possible 2036 Olympic bid, this legislation could prove to be a game-changer.
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