The Lok Sabha on Monday passed two key legislations — the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 — amid loud protests by opposition members.
The Bills were cleared through a voice vote despite persistent sloganeering in the Well of the House.
Union Sports Minister Mandaviya said the Sports Governance Bill seeks to institutionalise transparency, ensure athlete welfare, and embed ethical practices in sports federations. “Reforms began in 2014 with the Khelo India movement. Now our athletes are performing globally, and this Bill ensures they get the training and facilities they deserve,” he told the House.
The proposed law sets up a National Sports Board to regulate and recognise National Sports Federations, including autonomous bodies such as the BCCI. It also mandates adherence to the Olympic and Paralympic Charters and international best practices. It envisages a National Sports Tribunal to hear disputes on athlete selection, federation elections, and governance issues, as well as a Sports Election Panel to oversee polls in sports bodies.
The amendment to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, aims to reinforce the independence of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and its appeals panel, in line with concerns raised by the World Anti-Doping Agency over possible government interference. The changes are designed to align India’s regime with the WADA Code and boost credibility in global forums.
The passage comes as India continues talks with the International Olympic Committee as part of its groundwork for a possible bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
