Brief Context
Context Recently, the Parliament of India has passed the National Sports Governance Bill, aiming to overhaul India’s sports administration. Key Provisions of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 Creation of a National Sports Board (NSB) to regulate and recognize sports federations; Establishment of a National Sports Tribunal to resolve disputes; Mandatory compliance with international charters and ethical standards; Inclusion of sports bodies under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, but wi
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Syllabus: GS2/ Government Policy & Intervention; Sports
Context
- Recently, the Parliament of India has passed the National Sports Governance Bill, aiming to overhaul India’s sports administration.
Key Provisions of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025
- Creation of a National Sports Board (NSB) to regulate and recognize sports federations;
- Establishment of a National Sports Tribunal to resolve disputes;
- Mandatory compliance with international charters and ethical standards;
- Inclusion of sports bodies under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, but with a caveat.
National Sports Governance Bill & BCCI
- BCCI falls under the provisions of the National Sports Governance Bill, except Right to Information (RTI) Act, such as:
- Forming an Ethics Commission;
- Implementing a Safe Sports Policy;
- Complying with governance norms if it receives any form of government assistance (e.g., use of public infrastructure).
BCCI Exemption From RTI Act
- The Original Draft of the National Sports Governance Bill (Clause 15(2)) stated that all recognised sports bodies would be considered public authorities under RTI.
- However, the original clause was tweaked to apply only to bodies receiving government financial assistance.
BCCI and Its RTI Resistance
- BCCI is legally an autonomous charitable society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.
- It claims financial and organisational independence, operating outside the government’s regulatory framework.
- It has consistently resisted being labeled a ‘public authority’ under the RTI Act.
- Indirect State Support: Despite no direct grants, the BCCI has historically benefited from:
- Tax exemptions as a charitable institution.
- Land allocations at nominal rates (e.g., Re 1/month stadium lease in Himachal Pradesh).
- Use of national symbols and monopoly over cricket with tacit government approval.
Judicial Pronouncement
- Supreme Court (2015): Held BCCI performs public functions akin to a state body.
- Justice Lodha Committee: Urged bringing BCCI under RTI for transparency.
- Law Commission (275th Report, 2018): Recommended RTI coverage, citing indirect state benefits like tax exemptions (₹2,100+ crore between 1997–2007) and subsidised land leases.
- CIC Order (2018): Declared BCCI a public authority; stayed by Madras High Court.
Implications if BCCI Were Under RTI
- Inclusion under RTI would allow the public to request team selection criteria; contract details for broadcasting and infrastructure; appointment processes for officials and coaches; and minutes of meetings and decision-making records.
- Olympic Implications: With cricket set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, BCCI’s inclusion in the Olympic movement raises questions about its accountability.
- It is argued that its exemption from RTI undermines the Bill’s goal of transparency and could conflict with international governance standards.