Ministry gives leeway on age limit in new draft of Sports Bill

The Sports Ministry has sent a revised version of the National Sports Governance Bill. This after receiving over 7,000 comments, including heads of various National Sports Federations (NSF) and the Indian Olympic Association.

The ministry has revised the age and tenure limits for the executive committee members. As per the new draft, the federations have been given a leeway to decide on the continuation of the office bearer beyond the age of 70 years.

The Bill provided that while he/she should not generally be above the age of 70 years on the date of election, if he/she is aged between 70 and 75 years, he/she may, as deemed necessary for the effective functioning of the NSF/RSF, be deemed eligible to contest elections or seek nominations, if permitted by the NSF/RSF constitution.

However, the officials have to go into a mandatory cooling off period of four years. Amongst other things, the draft has allowed the charge-framed officials voting rights until the trial is completed. Previously they were barred from taking part in the process.

Few other contentious matters are still there that may still be opposed by the International Federations. They have renamed the National Sports Governance Board as the National Sports Board. That will still recognise sports bodies. However, they have cut down the powers of the board to derecognise the sports bodies as now it is to be done in consultation with the international federations.

IOA president PT Usha had warned the ministry last year that such a Bill may invite sanction from the International Olympic Committee as well as the International Federations.

“In its current form, the proposed Sports Regulatory Authority is granted extensive powers to control and regulate the functioning of these bodies, and it will be perceived as infringing upon the autonomy of IOA and NSFs. This may lead to a conflict between the government and international sports governance bodies, particularly the IOC, which has previously suspended many National Olympic committees for excessive governmental interference,” Usha wrote.

“The proposed Sports Regulatory Authority, if seen as undermining the IOA’s autonomy, will lead the IOC to question the alignment of India’s sports governance with the Olympic Charter. A suspension would have severe implications, not only limiting India’s participation in the Olympic Games but also hindering its international reputation as a sporting nation,” she added.