The BCCI will reportedly come under the ambit of the forthcoming National Sports Governance Bill, which is set to be introduced in Parliament on Wednesday.
Despite not being dependent on government funding, the BCCI will reportedly be required to seek recognition from the proposed National Sports Board (NSB).
“Like all national sports federations (NSFs), the BCCI will have to comply with the law of the land once this Bill becomes an Act. They don’t take ministry funding but an Act of Parliament applies to them,” PTI quotes a government source as having said.
This move follows the BCCI’s formal inclusion in the Olympic movement, with cricket set to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Games in the T20 format.
“They will remain an autonomous body like all other NSFs but their disputes, if any, will also come to the proposed National Sports Tribunal which will become the dispute resolution body for sports matter ranging from elections to selection,” the source added.
“However, this Bill does not mean government control on any NSF. Government will be a facilitator in ensuring good governance, not an enforcer.”
The long-awaited Sports Governance Bill aims to establish a robust framework to ensure timely elections, administrative accountability, athlete welfare, and a reduction in litigation, through a series of institutional reforms.
The National Sports Board, appointed entirely by the Central government, is expected to wield wide-ranging powers — including the authority to grant or suspend recognition of sports federations. These actions can be taken either in response to complaints or “its own motion”, in cases of violations such as electoral irregularities or financial misappropriation.
