Former Olympic medallist and sports administrator Gagan Narang has voiced strong support for the National Sports Governance Bill 2025, calling it a transformative step toward improved transparency, fair governance, and athlete-centric reform in India.
Narang’s Endorsement of the Bill
Narang praised the legislation as a forward-looking, futuristic initiative with the potential to significantly revamp the country’s sporting ecosystem. He emphasized that the Bill will help athletes maintain focus without being mired in administrative or legal distractions, ultimately enhancing performance and morale.
Key Features of the National Sports Governance Bill
1. National Sports Tribunal for Dispute Resolution
A major pillar of the Bill is the establishment of a National Sports Tribunal to handle disputes involving federations. Currently, multiple sports-related litigations in various courts delay progress; the tribunal aims to streamline resolution processes and keep athletes free from legal entanglements.
2. RTI Accountability and Oversight
The legislation proposes bringing National Sports Federations (NSFs) — including the high-profile BCCI — under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This move would officially recognize them as public authorities, increasing transparency in decision-making and operations.
3. Democratizing Governance
The Bill introduces measures to cap the tenure of office-bearers in sports bodies to prevent power concentration. It also proposes a National Sports Election Panel to ensure fair and uniform elections across federations and may impose restrictions on national team participation if governing bodies fail to align with the Bill’s governance standards.
4. Athlete and Women Representation
Narang welcomed provisions for athlete and women representation on executive councils of federations. He believes this mix will foster more inclusive, athlete-focused policymaking and management, with grievance redressal mechanisms supporting fairness and ethical conduct.
Potential Impacts and Challenges
- Sporting Culture Reboot: By focusing on transparency and accountability, the Bill could lay the groundwork for modern governance aligned with India’s vision as a potential host for the 2036 Olympics.
- Potential Resistance: Implementing structural change across established federations—some of which have operated semi-autonomously—is expected to be challenging. Narang acknowledged that while transformation won’t be easy, it is crucial for the betterment of Indian sport.
- Athlete Welfare Focus: Better grievance mechanisms and streamlined leadership structures may help athletes concentrate on performance rather than administrative hurdles. According to Narang, clearer governance will allow sportspersons to pursue excellence with uninterrupted focus.
Summary
Gagan Narang firmly supports the National Sports Governance Bill 2025, viewing it as a key catalyst for accountability, athlete-focused policies, and federation reform. He believes the Bill’s provisions — including a sports tribunal, RTI compliance, fixed terms, and greater representation — are essential to uplift India’s sporting system in the years ahead.
Photo Source: HT
