The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2024 for public feedback.
Aims of the bill
- Promote sports development, welfare for athletes, and ethical practices through good governance.
- Establish institutional capacity and prudential standards for the governance of sports federations.
- Establish measures for the resolution of sports grievances and sports disputes in a unified, equitable and effective manner.
Features of the Bill
- Sports Regulatory Board: Central authority to recognize National Sports Federations (NSFs) and ensure governance and ethical compliance.
- Ethical Standards: Mandatory ethical governance with Ethics and Dispute Resolution Commissions, ensuring integrity and transparency.
- Athletes Commissions: Commissions to represent athletes, allowing concern raising and decision-making participation, with government funding.
- Athlete Representation: 10% of voting members in sports bodies must be top athletes elected by the Athletes Commission, including one male and one female on the Executive Committee.
- Safe Sports Policy: Protects athletes, especially minors and women, from harassment, adhering to the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment Act.
- Anti-Doping Compliance: Enforces strict anti-doping measures and international ethical standards.
- Public Accountability: Sports organizations subject to the Right to Information Act for transparency.
- Gender Representation: At least 30% of governing body members must be female
