A top official from the Sports Ministry confirmed on July 22 that the BCCI will now fall under the National Sports Bill. While the cricket board doesn’t get government funding, its inclusion was expected, especially with India preparing to send its cricket teams to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
BCCI to Be Included Under National Sports Bill
The new National Sports Governance Bill 2025, introduced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to modernise the country’s sports system. Once the bill is in effect, the BCCI will be officially recognised as a National Sports Federation and will need to follow the same rules as other sports bodies.
Until 2019, the BCCI wasn’t recognised as a national federation. It came under the Right to Information Act in 2020. With the new bill will follow all Sports Ministry guidelines. It’s still unclear if earlier reforms like the Lodha Committee’s age and conflict-of-interest rules will continue.
What the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 Aims to Do
The bill is designed to bring more transparency, fairness, and athlete-first thinking to Indian sports. It introduces several changes, including:
Athlete representation. Every sports body must form an Athletes’ Committee and include two top sportspersons on its executive panels. Each committee must also have at least four women.
Dispute resolution: A new National Sports Tribunal will handle sports-related disputes quickly. Its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.
New regulator: The National Sports Board will oversee all national federations. It will handle recognition, monitor compliance, and manage funding. It can also take over troubled federations and appoint temporary panels when needed.
Read More
Right to information: All recognised sports bodies will be brought under the RTI Act, allowing the public access to key decisions and finances.
India’s Push Towards Global Sports Standards
Even though the word regulatory isn’t used, the new board will have a lot of power. It can suspend sports federations for problems like poor management or unfair elections, even if no one files a complaint. The government will choose who sits on the board, including top officials, former sports body leaders, and well-known athletes.
The main aim is to make sports bodies more fair, professional, and focused on athletes. It also helps India match international standards and boosts its chances of hosting the Olympics in the future.
ALSO READ: “It Can Be Done” – Kevin Pietersen Calls Out Prithvi Shaw After Sarfaraz Khan’s Transformation
