Government keen on having BCCI election as per National Sports Governance Act

The Government is keen to ensure that the next BCCI elections are conducted in line with the newly adopted National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The new law, applicable to all national sports federations in the country, including the BCCI, was passed in Parliament earlier this week, although it will only come into effect once an official notification is issued by the Government.

With elections for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due in September, the Sports Ministry will now have to fast-track the process of constituting three key committees.

Since 2016, the BCCI had been functioning under the recommendations of the Lodha Committee, which were imposed upon the Board by the Supreme Court. However, the National Sports Governance Act introduces a fresh framework based on three main pillars: the National Sports Board, the National Sports Tribunal, and the National Sports Election Panel.

The National Sports Board will be responsible for granting recognition to all sports bodies in the country, while the National Sports Tribunal will adjudicate disputes among federations. There is a provision to appeal the Tribunal’s decisions, but this must be done within 15 days before the Supreme Court of India. The National Sports Election Panel will work alongside the Election Commission of India to conduct polls for all national sports federations, including the BCCI.

The Sports Ministry is eager to have these three committees in place at the earliest, ensuring that the elections of all NSFs are held under the provisions of the new Act, with the BCCI polls fast approaching.

The Act mandates that the Executive Body of a sports federation must not exceed 15 members, and must include at least two sportspersons, two representatives from the Athletes’ Commission, and four women. With an eye on India’s ambitions to bid for major multi-sport events such as the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036, the Act also allows certain relaxations. The age cap has been adjusted: no individual may be more than 70 years old on the last date of nomination. However, a person aged between 70 and 75 may still contest elections or seek nomination if permitted under International Charters, Statutes and bye-laws.

BCCI president Roger Binny, who turned 70 in July, was initially expected to step aside. However, he has been allowed to continue until the next elections in September.