The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has created confusion among state associations over the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. In an affidavit filed in the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) election case, the BCCI stated that cricket is not a 'designated sport' under the new law.
The stance, approved by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, challenges claims that state associations can delay elections until December 2026 under sports ministry directives. Notably, the dispute is on cooling-off periods and conflict-of-interest rules. The Odisha High Court will hear the case again on September 1.
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According to the Times of India, the BCCI’s legal team filed an affidavit in the OCA election case in the Odisha High Court. The affidavit stated that the OCA must follow the existing BCCI constitution, amended after the Lodha Committee recommendations in 2019.
Notably, the BCCI stated that cricket has not been notified as a ‘designated sport’ under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The board therefore maintained that the law does not currently bring cricket under the National Sports Board.
“It is submitted that even though the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 has been enacted, the sport of cricket has not been notified as a ‘designated sport’ for the said National Sports Governance Act, 2025 to apply,” the affidavit stated.
“That Odisha Cricket Association has similar provisions of no office-bearer continuing for more than two terms consecutively, it is imperative that timely elections should be held in order to avoid continuation of any person for more than two terms consecutively and to uphold the spirit of the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” the affidavit further read.
State Associations Face Confusion Over Election Rules
Several state associations' elections could remain on hold until December 2026 following a sports ministry notice issued last December. The main difference is on the cooling-off period, as the new Act does not include one and also relaxes some conflict-of-interest rules.
“If the government has notified that sports bodies can defer elections till December 2026, every state unit would believe it can wait until then before holding elections for select posts. The power forces in BCCI have always advocated the importance of continuity in administration. The board’s reluctance to adhere to government directives can disrupt it just when the new office-bearers were gaining experience,” a senior official told TOI.
The official further added: “It has also created confusion over the governance of the sport. The state bodies need to know if they have to follow the Sports Governance Act or the BCCI constitution.”
Parliament Debate and RTI Ruling Add to BCCI’s Legal Challenge
The BCCI’s current position also differs from comments made during a parliamentary discussion in August 2025. Vijayawada MP and Andhra Cricket Association president Kesineni Sivanath welcomed the Sports Governance Bill and said that the BCCI already followed its core principles.
The BCCI has also remained exempt from the Right to Information (RTI) Act because it does not depend on public funds. In May, the Central Information Commission maintained that the Lodha Committee’s recommendations were only ‘advisory in nature’ while upholding the BCCI’s RTI exemption.
The hearing could provide greater clarity on whether the OCA must follow the existing BCCI constitution or wait for cricket to receive formal designation under the new Sports Governance Act.
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