The National Sports Bill and Anti-Doping Amendment Bill were passed in the Lok Sabha. The Cricket Control Board of India (BCCI) has also come under the purview of the National Sports Bill. Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandavia introduced both these bills in the Lok Sabha on 11 August (Monday). The purpose of these two bills is to make India a superpower of sports in future.
However, the main objective of the National Sports Bill is to control the operation of all sports in the country. Now after the passage of the Sports Bill, the National Sports Board (NSB) will be formed, which will monitor all the Sports Federations including BCCI. Cricket is also going to be a part of Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
Due to this, BCCI will also have to register as National Sports Association. The National Sports Tribunal will also be formed under the Sports Bill, which will have equal rights to the civil court. This tribunal will settle the selection process and disputes related to election. The appeal against its decisions can only be made in the Supreme Court.
… then Roger Binny will continue in the post
It is a matter of relief for BCCI that the Sports Bill also relaxes the age limit for administrators. On getting permission of the international institution, people between the age of 70 and 75 years can contest the Sports Association elections. This means that current BCCI President Roger Binny can continue in his post. Roger Binny turned 70 on July 19 this year.
The initial draft of the National Sports Bill provided to bring BCCI under the purview of RTI (Right to Information), but the BCCI is not dependent on the funds of the central government, so this clause was removed. All other rules will also apply to BCCI like other sports institutions.
What is the provision in the Anti-Doping Bill?
On the other hand, the National Anti -Doping Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the revised form to remove the objections of WDA (World Anti Doping Agency). The National Anti Doping Bill was passed in 2022, but it was not implemented due to WADA objections. WADA was not happy that a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports would be made under it.
The board consisted of a chairperson and two members, who would be appointed by the central government. This board had the right to monitor NADA and direct it. WADA considered this provision to be government intervention in an autonomous organization. This board has been retained in the revised bill, but now it will not have the right to monitor NADA or advise it. The revised bill has made it clear that NADA will have the right to work completely independently.
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