Good or Bad? Players, politicians, fans debate on National Sports Governance Bill after Parliament clears it
The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 has been cleared by both houses in Indian parliament.
The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill 2025 have been passed by the Rajya Sabha and now only await the President of India’s assent to be enacted as a law in India.
The Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in his speech, while tabling the bill, termed it to be the single biggest reform in sports since independence. “This bill will ensure accountability, ensure justice, and bring the best governance in sports federations,” he said.
The aim of the National Sports Governance Bill is to bring changes in Indian sports, ensuring transparency, aligning with global standards, and strengthening sports governance — especially with India eyeing a bid for the 2036 Olympics.
Also Read: After Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha now passes National Sports Governance Bill
The sports fraternity, including top athletes and the public, have shared their views on the bills. India’s women’s hockey team goalkeeper Savita Punia voiced her support, saying, “This is more than a Bill — it’s a vision for the future of Indian sports.”
Meanwhile, the Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Sinha also praised the legislation. “Congratulations @mansukhmandaviya ji on the passing of the National Sports Governance Bill 2025.
“Having invested my entire MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) fund in sports infrastructure, I’m confident this landmark reform will energise India’s sports ecosystem like never before,” he said on his official twitter handle.
He claimed that after the unprecedented reforms in education through the National Education Policy 2020, this is now ‘another game-changing step for India’s youth and sporting talent.’
MP Praful Patel, who is associated with the Nationalist Congress Party, also welcomed the new sports laws.
“I welcome the National Sports Governance Bill and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill 2025. These transformative reforms will redefine Indian sports, strengthen our path to the 2036 Olympics, and ensure that women athletes are well-represented in sports policies,” he said.
However, the new sports reform bills have faced criticism too from several Opposition leaders.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh alleged the legislation was “bulldozed” through Parliament, saying it should have been referred to a committee for deeper examination and wider consultation.
“The Bill will result in the extreme centralisation of sports administration. And of course, the BCCI will get most-favoured treatment, not subject to any laws of the land like the RTI,” he said.
Actually, the bills were passed in the Lok Sabha on August 11 and in the Rajya Sabha on August 12 in the absence of most Opposition leaders, who had walked out to protest outside the Election Commission headquarters over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, alleging voter data fudging and possible disenfranchisement.
Also Read: Five major talking points from National Sports Governance Bill 2025
Congress MP Manish Tewari who had voiced concerns earlier also, calling it ‘entirely unconstitutional’ criticised the process again, calling it “exceedingly unfortunate” that the government passed the bills without engaging the Opposition.
He argued the government lacked the legislative competence to enact the National Sports Governance Bill, pointing out that “sports is a state subject — Entry 33, List II, Seventh Schedule, Article 246.”
Meanwhile, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, who had opposed the National Sports Governance Bill last year over concerns of government interference, has now reversed her stance. After discussions with Minister Mandaviya and reviewing the revised provisions, she has voiced strong support for the reforms.
“This legislation comes at a time when India is dreaming big, dreaming for its rightful share in the global sporting fraternity by hosting the 2036 Olympics. For Bharat, it is not just a bill — it is a clarion call for action,” Usha said.
Here are some more reactions to the bill:
What is the National Sports Governance Bill?
The bill is a legislative introduced by the Indian government to bring transparency, accountability and athlete-centric governance across all national sports federations in the country. It also aims to modernise the Indian sports governance.
Has the National Sports Governance Bill become an act?
No, while the bill has been cleared by both houses of the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), it needs to get a “nod or assent” from the President to become a law.
When was the National Sports Governance bill passed in Parliament?
The National Sports Governance Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 11, and in the Rajya Sabha on August 12.
How has the reaction been to the National Sports Governance Bill 2025?
While several lawmakers from the government and players have praised for the legislation, the bill has mainly faced criticism by the opposition, mostly Congress ministers and politicians.
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Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.
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