The BCCI has said it will operate under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 once cricket is formally notified as a designated sport, outlining the regulatory trigger it believes must occur before the Board is required to act under the new framework.
The issue emerged as a major topic at the BCCI’s 95th Annual General Meeting on Friday, where the Board considered its position on the legislation and the steps that remain before its provisions apply to Indian cricket.
Formal designation remains the key step
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, speaking to reporters after the AGM, said: “Regarding the Sports Act, our stand is very clear. There are a lot of things which have to be done by the authority concerned. Once those exercises are completed and once the BCCI comes under the Sports Act, a particular notification has to be issued to make it a designated sport.”
The BCCI is also preparing to address the issue before the Supreme Court, where the matter is next scheduled to be listed on October 27.
Saikia added: “Till that time, we are not supposed to do anything. Whenever that notification comes, we will spring into action. We will do our job as per the rules of the new Sports Act. So, as of today, there is nothing like what was discussed in the Supreme Court that day. We will give the clarification on October 27, when the matter will be listed next time.”
BCCI highlights its financial model
The Board’s position also draws attention to a fundamental financial difference between the BCCI and other sports federations in India: it does not receive government funding.
Saikia noted: “We are paying 3,000 crore in tax annually to the govt. Unlike other sports federations, we don’t take any govt funding. Hence, cricket cannot be treated as a designated sport under the National Sports Governance Act 2025.”
According to The Times of India, Saikia also said the BCCI would not come under the Right to Information (RTI) Act because it does not receive government grants.
New law reshapes sports governance framework
The National Sports Governance Act introduces a wider regulatory structure for sports bodies in India. The legislation covers the recognition of sports federations and provides for recognition to be granted, suspended or revoked, while also addressing governance matters including federation elections and age limits for officials.
For the BCCI, the immediate focus remains the process that would formally bring cricket within that framework. With the Board stating that it will follow the Act once the required notification is issued, its next identified step is to provide its clarification when the matter comes before the Supreme Court on October 27.
