Olympics bronze medallist Gagan Narang on Friday praised the central government’s efforts to develop a “robust and transparent” sports governance framework, expressing pride in the nation’s evolving sports landscape. This follows the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ release of the Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 for public consultation, aiming to transform governance in alignment with international standards.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday highlighted the government’s discussions with 49 sports federations and outlined plans to overhaul sports governance, reflecting on India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Narang emphasized the draft bill’s importance, saying that it will bring transparency and accountability to Indian sports governance.
The bill proposes the creation of a Sports Regulatory Board of India to oversee National Sports Federations (NSFs), ensuring ethical practices and compliance. A key aspect includes 10% athlete representation in decision-making bodies like the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).
The bill also introduces a “Safe Sports Policy” to protect athletes from harassment, mandates Ethics Commissions, and establishes an Appellate Sports Tribunal to resolve disputes efficiently.
Public comments on the bill are open until October 25.