The Sports Ministry has set November 14 as the deadline for the general public to submit feedback on the draft rules of the National Sports Governance Act, which aims to overhaul the country’s sports administration and dispute resolution mechanisms among other areas.
The ministry has uploaded the draft rules for the National Sports Board (NSB), the National Sports Tribunal (NST), and the National Sports Election Panel (NSEP) on its website, inviting public feedback.
“These Rules have been formulated to facilitate the implementation of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025,” stated the ministry.
“The Act seeks to ensure ethical practices, fair play at all levels of sport, safeguard the interests of sportspersons as the primary stakeholders, and
create a robust ecosystem for sports in the country,” it added.
Feedback can be submitted to the Ministry either by post or by email at rules-nsga2025@sports.gov.in.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is eager to implement the act in the first half of 2026 by finalising the NSB at the end of this year.
“Last date for submission of comments/feedback is 14 November 2025,” the ministry said.
The NSB will have the authority not only to grant affiliation to the National Sports Federations (NSFs) but also monitor their financial operations and penalise them for any misconduct. It will be mandatory for NSFs to obtain NSB affiliation to be eligible for government funding.
The Board will consist of a Chairperson and two other members with experience in public administration, sports governance, and sports law.
Appointments will be made by a search-cum-selection committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, including the Sports Secretary and “one person possessing experience in sports administration, and two persons who are recipients of national sports awards, to be nominated by the Central Government”.
The Board will hold office for three years or until the members reach the age of 65, whichever is earlier. All members will be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term subject to the age limit.
Members of the National Sports Tribunal will hold office for four years, with an age cap of 67 years as per the ministry draft.
Additionally, the tribunal’s office-bearers will not be allowed to practice before it after retirement. They will also be prohibited from undertaking any arbitration assignment while serving in their capacities in the Tribunal.
Furthermore, for two years after they cease to hold office, they must avoid “accepting any employment in, or connected with the management or administration of, any person who has been a party to a proceeding before the Tribunal”.
The tribunal’s primary goal is to ensure that sporting matters do not end up in courts, where over 300 sports-related cases are currently pending.
The rules establish a tiered criteria for athletes, encouraging them to engage in administration. According to the provisions of the act, it is mandatory for each federation’s general body to have four or more ‘Sportspersons of Merit’, elected or nominated.
Interested athletes should be retired from their sport for at least one year before applying for an administrative position, and only those who have won an Olympic medal or participated in at least one Olympics are eligible for inclusion in the National Olympic Committee.
The criteria have been relaxed for inclusion in federations, with a National Sports Award or medals in the World Championship of the relevant discipline being sufficient for entry.
Tier one athletes are those who have won at least one medal in the Olympics or Winter Olympics, while tier two comprises applicants who have participated in two or more editions of the Olympics or Winter Olympic Games.
There are 10 tiers in descending order of achievements in various sporting events.
The National Sports Election Panel, responsible for facilitating elections in national sports bodies, must have at least 20 members on its roster at all times.
With PTI Inputs
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