BCCI To Come Under National Sports Governance Bill 2025 (Source: @BCCI/x.com)
A new chapter is about to unfold in Indian cricket as the BCCI prepares to step into a new era. As the Indian government is ready to introduce the highly anticipated ‘National Sports Governance Bill 2025, the BCCI is set to come under it.
In a significant change, the BCCI will soon have to seek annual recognition once the bill becomes law. From now on, all current and future legal disputes involving the Board will be managed by the National Sports Tribunal.
BCCI To Face Major Overhaul
The Indian government is set to take a legendary step into the sports world as the much-awaited ‘National Sports Governance Bill 2025’ is set to be introduced in parliament. This historic change seeks to create a clear legal framework. The goal is to ensure transparency and accountability in how national sports federations operate.
Adding more, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is to come under its purview as a national sports federation. Once enacted, the BCCI will be required to seek annual recognition, with all its ongoing and future legal moves settled by the newly formed National Sports Tribunal.
According to the Times of India, A ministry official clarified that while BCCI remains autonomous, it must follow the new law, with disputes handled by the National Sports Tribunal.
“Like all NSFs, the BCCI will have to comply with the law of the land once the bill becomes an act. The Board doesn’t take ministry funding, but an Act of Parliament applies to them. They will remain an autonomous body like all other NSF’s but their disputes, if any, will also come to the National Sports Tribunal, which will become the dispute resolution body for sports matters ranging from elections to selections. However, this bill doesn’t mean govt control over any NSF. The govt will be a facilitator in ensuring good governance, not an enforcer,” the official said.
Legal Path For BCCI To Be Streamlined
In case of any conflict, India's highest cricket body and its state units will no longer be able to go directly to various courts across the country. After the board elections, the BCCI will be required to get approval from the new National Sports Board.
The bill is more than a typical sports law. It aims to promote athlete welfare and ensure ethical practices in sports. It also seeks to establish clear governance standards for national sports federations and introduce effective ways to resolve administrative disputes.
