BCCI to Come Under National Sports Governance Bill 2025, Ushering New Era of Transparency and Athlete Representation

The much-anticipated National Sports Governance Bill 2025 will be introduced in Parliament this week, formally placing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under its purview, Sports Ministry sources said. This is a landmark moment for Indian sports law, with the legislation guaranteeing structural reforms to bring greater transparency, accountability, and athlete-centered governance to all National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the cricket behemoth.

 

Key Highlights: Strengthening Governance and Empowerment of Athletes

 

The Bill declares BCCI to be a National Sports Federation, bringing it under regulations of transparent functioning, free and fair elections, and compulsory representation of athletes on the executive committees so that the sportspersons have an effective say in the decision-making process.

 

It provides for a central National Sports Board (NSB), which will regulate recognition, compliance, and governance of NSFs, with the authority to suspend federations in case of electoral malpractices or mismanagement of funds.

 

Recurrent litigation regarding federation elections, player selection disputes, and delays that harm athletes' careers are aimed at by the creation of a stand-alone National Sports Tribunal, which provides rapid and binding dispute resolution.

 

The bill makes minimum gender representation on sports bodies and the establishment of internal grievance redressal mechanisms enabling safe, ethical, and inclusive sporting environments mandatory.

 

Even though BCCI is independent of government funds and finances, the Bill brings it under the Right to Information Act, increasing public oversight and financial transparency.

 

Significantly, the upper age limit for sports administrators is raised from 70 to 75 years, thus enabling the present BCCI president Roger Binny to remain in office.

 

The Government emphasizes its role as a facilitator rather than controller, seeking to professionalize sports governance without direct interference. As Indian cricket prepares to take part in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a gap of many years, this Bill brings India's cricket administration at par with global best practices and Olympic norms, providing long-term stability and promoting athletes' welfare.

 

Sources: Tribune India, India Today, NDTV, Onmanorama