National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 & BCCI

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.

Source: IE