BCCI to Fall Under National Sports Bill: What Does This Mean for Indian Cricket?

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will soon come under the National Sports Governance Bill. This significant move was confirmed by a senior Sports Ministry official on Tuesday, July 22. The change will make the cricket body adhere to the same rules and regulations that govern all National Sports Federations (NSFs) in India.

How Will This Affect the BCCI?

Until 2019, the BCCI was not recognized as an NSF. Now, with the National Sports Bill set to become law, it will automatically be classified as one. This places the BCCI under all sports ministry guidelines. It will also be overseen by the new National Sports Board (NSB).

The BCCI has never depended on government funding. However, this change was expected, especially with India’s cricket teams participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Bill will require the BCCI to follow ethical practices and global governance standards. This is aimed at improving India’s sports ecosystem.

What is the National Sports Governance Bill?

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 aims to bring major changes to how sports federations operate in India. It introduces transparency and athlete-centric reforms to make sports governance more effective. The Bill also aligns India’s sports system with Olympic and Paralympic Charters, preparing the country for possible bids to host major international events, such as the 2036 Olympic Games.

The Bill mandates the creation of Athletes’ Committees within each NSF, which will give athletes a formal voice in decision-making. It also makes it compulsory to include at least two sportspersons of exceptional merit in the executive committees of all sports bodies. For gender equality, it requires a minimum of four women on each executive committee.

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Key Features and Impacts

The Bill’s focus on transparency will bring all recognised sports bodies, including the BCCI, under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. It will allow public access to financial records and decision-making processes. A National Sports Tribunal will be set up to address legal disputes swiftly, reducing delays that have hindered athletes in the past.

If federations lose recognition or are suspended, the NSB will appoint temporary administrative bodies to manage operations. This ensures that athletes continue to train and compete without disruption.