As the Indian government prepares to table the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 in Parliament this week, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has signaled that the cricket board will reserve its opinion until a full review of the legislation is completed.
“We will have to study the bill after it’s introduced. Only then can I express my views on it,” — Shukla refused to comment on the bill when asked by ANI.
The proposed bill, expected to be introduced during the ongoing monsoon session, is set to bring sweeping reforms across Indian sport — with one of its most significant moves being the potential inclusion of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under its regulatory framework.
BCCI’s unique position: powerful, yet outside India’s sports governance system
Currently, the BCCI operates as an independent body under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act of 1975 and is not recognized as one of India’s 45 official National Sports Federations (NSFs). It also does not receive government funding — a key differentiator from other federations.
However, with India expected to send a cricket team to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, momentum has grown within the Sports Ministry to bring the BCCI under a formal governance structure.
If included in the bill’s scope, the BCCI could face new transparency obligations — including being subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act — and would need to adhere to uniform governance standards applicable to all NSFs.
Key provisions: governance reforms, athlete representation, dispute resolution
According to Sports Ministry officials, the National Sports Governance Bill is designed to address a range of structural and systemic issues within Indian sports administration.
Key reforms proposed in the bill include:
- Standardized electoral processes across sports bodies
- Mandated athlete representation in decision-making
- Mandated athlete representation in decision-making
- Creation of a dedicated Sports Tribunal for swift dispute resolution
- Establishment of internal grievance redressal systems
- Improved financial transparency and governance
- Increased female representation in leadership roles
The bill is also expected to introduce a central election panel to oversee sports federation elections and reduce recurring litigation around selection and governance issues.
A facilitator, not a controller: government’s envisioned role
Officials emphasize that the government’s role under the new framework will be one of support, not interference. The goal, they say, is to provide a legislative foundation for fair, transparent, and accountable sports governance — without heavy-handed control over independent sports bodies.
For the BCCI, which has long operated with significant autonomy and commercial clout, its potential inclusion marks a critical inflection point. While the board remains non-committal for now, the direction of policy suggests a broader integration of cricket into India’s Olympic and national sports ecosystem.
