ISLAMABAD: In what could be a watershed moment for Indian sports governance, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to be officially brought under the ambit of the country’s Sports Ministry through the National Sports Governance Bill, a move that may redefine the administrative landscape of cricket in India.
The bill, which would be presented in the Indian Parliament on Wednesday (today), proposes that the BCCI, long operating as an autonomous, standalone powerhouse must formally seek recognition from the newly formed National Sports Board (NSB), like every other National Sports Federation (NSF) in India. While the BCCI has traditionally remained outside the purview of government funding and regulatory checks, once the bill becomes law, it would be legally bound to comply with national statutes, despite its financial independence. The development signals a fundamental shift in India’s approach to sports governance and accountability. The bill doesn’t seek to strip the BCCI or any other sports federation of its autonomy, but it aims to introduce a structured dispute resolution mechanism through the proposed National Sports Tribunal, which would serve as the final arbiter for sports-related conflicts, ranging from electoral disputes and selection controversies to athlete grievances.
With cricket making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games in T20 format, the bill is seen as a crucial step toward aligning Indian cricket administration with international standards, transparency and athlete-centric policies. The long-awaited legislation seeks to usher in unprecedented reform across Indian sports by enforcing timely and transparent elections, administrative accountability, athlete welfare safeguards, and litigation reduction and expedited dispute resolution The newly proposed National Sports Board, to be constituted by the central government, would have sweeping oversight powers. It would be authorised not only to grant or revoke recognition of sports bodies but also to appoint ad hoc committees for federations found guilty of administrative or financial irregularities.
This would mark a significant power shift away from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which has historically functioned as the umbrella authority for all NSFs. The NSB’s mandate would include ensuring compliance with international standards, collaborating with global sports bodies, and protecting the rights of athletes. The bill also addresses the long-debated age cap for sports administrators. In a carefully worded concession, individuals aged between 70 and 75 may still contest elections, provided that their respective international federations do not raise objections. This clause reflects a careful balancing act between respecting global norms and honoring domestic administrative experience.
Moreover, the bill emphasises the supremacy of the Olympic Charter and the statutes of international federations in matters related to governance and elections, an effort to avoid clashes with global sports authorities such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Cricket Council (ICC). Despite the government’s insistence on having consulted with major international bodies, the IOA has pushed back strongly, labeling the NSB proposal as a form of “government overreach” that could trigger sanctions or suspensions from the IOC.
Nevertheless, the Indian government has maintained that the new model fosters transparency, protects athletes, and modernises governance, thereby strengthening India’s position on the international stage.
This is particularly significant as India eyes a high-profile bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, a process in which IOC cooperation will be critical. If passed, this legislation could become the most transformative development in Indian sports governance in decades, one that may reverberate far beyond its borders.