Significant Sports Reforms Approved by Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha has cleared key legislation related to sports governance and anti-doping, following passage in the Lok Sabha. The National Sports Governance Bill, a central component of these reforms, seeks to establish a comprehensive legal structure for the administration of sports in India, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and the well-being of athletes. The bill is designed to facilitate sports development, support athlete welfare initiatives, and promote ethical practices based on international standards. It also aims to provide a streamlined process for resolving sports disputes. This legislation is a critical step toward improving the Indian sports system and replaces patchwork policies and inconsistent court decisions with a solid legal foundation. Addressing the need for a comprehensive sports governance framework, as requested by the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court, the bill resolves existing issues. The aim is to facilitate the effective functioning of sports federations as India strives to host the 2036 Olympics. The issues of conflicting court orders and irregularities in federation elections are addressed. The bill is modeled after other countries that have robust sports laws. The goal is to bring stability to the sports world. The implementation of a ‘clean, athlete-focused and transparent’ governance system is the key objective.