New Delhi: Parliament on Tuesday passed the National Sports Governance Bill, with Rajya Sabha approving it just 24 hours after Lok Sabha, marking a historic step in India's sports administration.

The bill establishes a national sports board and a dispute resolution mechanism.

The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, reinforcing NADA's autonomy as per World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requirements, was also passed. Both bills now await presidential assent.

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, who moved the bills in the Rajya Sabha, said, “In 20 countries, there is sports law. I request the Rajya Sabha to make India the 21st country with a sports law.” His speech was followed by over two hours of discussion.

BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia expressed concerns about centralisation and lack of clarity on district-level athlete development, saying, “The bill should empower, not control.” Mandaviya responded, “We are bringing transparency, not control or interference. Government is a facilitator.”

Former All India Football Federation President Praful Patel called the bill “long-standing legislation that was required,” highlighting the need for a legal sports code beyond cricket. Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha praised the bill for promoting transparency, accountability, and gender parity.

The bill empowers the National Sports Board (NSB) to derecognise bodies that fail to hold elections or misuse public funds, with prior consultation of global bodies. It also proposes a National Sports Tribunal with civil court powers to adjudicate disputes, whose decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.

Notable amendments include allowing administrators aged 70-75 to contest elections if permitted by international bodies, bringing recognised national sports bodies under the RTI Act only if they receive government funding, and reducing mandatory executive tenure from two terms to one for election eligibility.

The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill incorporates WADA's objections to government interference by removing the oversight powers of a proposed National Board for Anti-Doping, affirming NADA's operational independence.