The landmark National Sports Governance Act will partially come into effect from January 1, as announced by the Sports Ministry on Wednesday. This Act will pave the way for the formation of the National Sports Board
(NSB) and a Tribunal to handle sporting disputes.
The Act was officially notified in the Official Gazette on August 18.
“…the Central Government has appointed 1st January, 2026 as the date on which the provisions of sections 1 to 3, sub-sections (1), (2) and (4) of section 4, sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 5, sub-section (5) of section 8, sub-section (1) of section 11, sections 14 and 15, sub-sections (1) to (7) and (10) of section 17, sections 30 and 31, and sections 33 to 38 of the said Act shall come into force,” stated a press release from the Sports Ministry.
The provisions being implemented pertain to the establishment and governance framework of National Sports Bodies, including the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federations (NSFs), and Regional Sports Federations.
Following elections under the Act’s provisions, these bodies will be required to have Executive Committees consisting of no more than 15 members, including at least two Sportspersons of Merit.
The creation of the National Sports Board (NSB) and the National Sports Tribunal (NST) will also commence with this partial implementation.
The NSB will consist of a Chairperson and members appointed by the Central Government. These appointees will be “persons of ability, integrity and standing who possesses special knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.” The appointments will be based on recommendations from a search-cum-selection committee.
“The phased commencement of the Act is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to the statutory sports governance framework,” the ministry said.
The ministry has permitted NSFs with upcoming elections to postpone them until December to facilitate full-scale implementation of the Act.
“With effect from 1st January, 2026, the institutional mechanisms envisaged under the notified provisions of the Act shall become operational,” it stated.
The proposed three-member NSB will have the authority to grant affiliation to NSFs, monitor their financial operations, and penalise them for any misconduct once the Act is fully operational. NSFs must obtain NSB affiliation to be eligible for government funding. The age limit for NSB members is set at 65, with eligibility for reappointment for one more term, subject to the age cap.
Members of the National Sports Tribunal will serve for four years, with an age limit of 67 years, as per the implementation rules posted by the ministry for public feedback in October.
(With inputs from Agencies)
