Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced that the government is preparing to introduce the Sports Bill during the Budget Session of Parliament. The bill aims to address key issues in Indian sports and support sports administrators in gaining larger roles on the international stage.
Speaking to the media, Mandaviya highlighted the overwhelming support for the bill. “95% of people want the Sports Bill to be introduced. While there are some objections from a few National Sports Federations (NSFs), we will address them,” he said.
Adjusting Rules for International Representation
The minister also discussed the need to revise certain age and tenure rules under the current Sports Code. According to the existing rules, NSF officials can serve for a maximum of 12 years or three terms of four years each. Additionally, key positions like President, Secretary, and Treasurer must be vacated once an official reaches the age of 70.
Mandaviya acknowledged that these rules could limit opportunities for Indian administrators to secure prominent roles in global sports organizations. He pointed out the example of Randhir Singh, who recently became the President of the Asian Olympic Council (OCA) after decades of work in the international sports arena.
“Had we strictly studied the current rules, someone like Randhir Singh would not have been able to contribute internationally. For officials representing India on the global stage, the 70-year age limit will not apply,” the minister explained.
Aiming for Better Representation
Singh had earlier urged the government to reconsider the tenure limit, stating that 12 years is often not enough for sports administrators to make a significant impact at the national level, let alone internationally. The government is now open to adjusting these norms to ensure Indian officials can take leadership roles in global sports bodies.
The proposed Sports Bill is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening Indian sports and ensuring the country’s representation on the world stage.