In a big move that brings relief to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Sports Ministry has made a key change to the National Sports Governance Bill. The bill was presented in the Lok Sabha on July 23 by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
One of the most disputed parts of the bill, Clause 15(2), originally stated: "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."
This was the biggest headache for the BCCI, which has always resisted coming under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The main reason behind the resistance is that the BCCI does not take any financial help from the Indian government, unlike most National Sports Federations (NSFs), which do depend on public funding, but instead run on their own revenue.
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Now, with the amendment, the RTI rule will only apply to sports bodies that receive government grants or assistance. The change made in the bill clearly ends the Indian cricket board’s worries, and it won’t be treated like a public authority. Now, the BCCI stays out of the RTI's reach, as it operates independently and is funded through its own revenues.
'Anything that involves public money will come under RTI'
A source close to the development was quoted as saying by PTI: “The amended clause defines public authority as an entity that is relying on government funds or assistance. With this amendment, there is a clear definition of what is a public authority.”
The source further added, “If this had not been done, it would have been a grey area that could have led to the bill getting held up or being challenged in court. So, anything that involves public money will come under RTI. It defines the specifics.”
He explained, “And even if a national sports body is not taking government funds, it can still be questioned if government assistance of any kind is involved in the conduct or operation of its events. Because government assistance is not merely funds, it is also about infrastructure.”
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BCCI gets RTI relief, but Olympic cricket status demands NSF Registration
Meanwhile, the amended National Sports Governance Bill aims to reform how sports bodies function in India. It aligns with the RTI Act by applying transparency rules only to those organizations that receive government support. The BCCI is now out of the RTI coverage, as it doesn’t rely on government funds.
However, since cricket is now part of the Olympics (T20 format in 2028), BCCI will still need to register as a National Sports Federation (NSF). The bill proposes forming a National Sports Board (NSB) to enforce strict rules and accountability.
All NSFs must have the National Sports Board (NSB) recognition to receive central funding. It also introduces a National Sports Tribunal to settle disputes related to selections or elections, with its decisions only appealable in the Supreme Court.
Additionally, the age cap for sports administrators is revised to 75, allowing more flexibility. These reforms are part of India’s broader plan to prepare for a bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics and improve global sporting performance.
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