Preparing for the full-scale implementation of the National Sports Governance (NSG) Act in January, the Sports Ministry announced on Monday that national federations due for elections in the coming months could defer them until December 2026 to accommodate the “foundational” changes mandated by the new law.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in an interview with PTI after the Act’s passage in August, confirmed its implementation in January, a stance he reiterated last week. The draft rules for the Act’s implementation are in the final stages after legal consultation.
The most anticipated NSF election next year will be at the embattled All India Football Federation (AIFF), currently led by Kalyan Chaubey. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), headed
by PT Usha, is also scheduled for elections towards the end of next year.
A letter from the ministry to all NSFs and the IOA stated that “Compliance requirements under NSG Act, 2025 necessitate adequate preparation time for NSFs to establish robust electoral structure and procedures, and alignment of the Constitution/Bye-laws of NSFs with the NSG Act.”
The ministry advised that NSFs must take “appropriate measures” to restructure their General Body to ensure all voting members and affiliate units comply with the NSG Act’s provisions.
Having reviewed the election schedules of NSFs, the ministry determined that implementing these changes is “foundational in nature”.
“…and it may be difficult to complete these changed effectively within the limited time-frame available to NSFs whose elections are due in coming months,” the statement read.
“In order to facilitate the smooth transition under the new governance framework as also to allow adequate time for implementation of the statutory requirements under the NSG Act by the NSFs, it has been decided that those NSFs whose elections are scheduled to be held in the coming months…are allowed to defer the elections upto December 31, as a transitional measure,” it added.
The only exceptions are cases with specific directions from Courts of Law.
“During this extended period, the existing Executive Committee of the concerned NSF shall continue by extending the tenure of the current office-bearers of the respective NSFs for the duration of the deferment period, subject to approval of its General Body.”
“This one-time extension is solely for the purpose of transitioning to the new electoral framework established under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025,” it stated.
What The Act States?
According to the Act, the size of all NSF Executive Committees will be fixed at 15 members, including at least four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM). The term of an EC is capped at four years.
The Act requires the establishment of a National Sports Board (NSB), a National Sports Tribunal (NST), and the National Sports Election Panel (NSEP).
The NSB, the Act’s most significant aspect, will not only grant affiliation to the NSFs but also monitor their financial operations and penalise them for any wrongdoing.
NSFs must obtain NSB affiliation to be eligible for government funding. The age cap for all NSB members is set at 65.
The Chairperson and each Member will hold office for a term of three years from the date of appointment or until reaching the age of 65, whichever comes first.
The NSEP will manage elections in national sports bodies and must have at least 20 members on its roster at all times.
The National Sports Tribunal will hold office for four years, with an age cap of 67 years, according to the ministry draft. The tribunal aims to ensure that sporting matters do not end up in courts, where over 300 sports-related cases are currently pending.
(With inputs from Agencies)
