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Respite For BCCI As Sports Ministry Revises RTI-Related Provisions

Aakash Saini

BCCI [Source: @gujratsamachar/X.com]BCCI [Source: @gujratsamachar/X.com]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to breathe a sigh of relief owing to the revised sports bill. The Indian Sports Ministry recently revised the RTI-related provisions of the National Sports Governance Bill, allowing only those organizations under the scope that rely on the government’s assistance.

Once the bill comes into effect, the BCCI will be required to register itself as a National Sports Federation (NSF).

BCCI To Escape RTI Inspection From Indian Government

The revised sports bill was introduced by Indian Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last month. The bill, as mentioned in clause 15 (2), stated that “a recognized sports organization shall be considered as a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 with respect to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers under this Act.”

The Right to Information (RTI) has been an issue for the BCCI for a while, considering the Indian cricket board does not depend upon the Indian government for funding unlike other sports federations in the country.

With the revised bill, the BCCI will now be required to register itself as an NSF, in light of Team India’s participation in the cricketing event of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics three years from now.

The new bill also proposes the creation of a National Sports Board (NSB), which will oversee strict accountability measures. All National Sports Federations (NSFs) will need to gain recognition from the NSB in order to become eligible for financial support from the central government.

Despite its occasional run-ins with regulatory frameworks, the BCCI continues to operate as the most powerful and financially independent cricket board in the world. The Indian board often sets the tone for how the sport evolves internationally. While compliance with the new bill might introduce additional formalities, it is unlikely to dent the BCCI’s stature in the long run.