NATIONAL SPORTS BODIESCentral
Section 4 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025
- (1)Every National Sports Body shall have,---
- (a)a General Body, consisting of equal number of representatives from each of its affiliate units and such other ex officio members as per its bye-laws and the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable: Provided that it shall have representation of such sportspersons of outstanding merit and such other categories of persons, as may be prescribed;
- (b)an Executive Committee which shall consist of not more than fifteen members, of whom---
- (i)at least two shall be sportspersons of outstanding merit;
- (ii)two shall be from the Athletes Committee to be elected from amongst themselves; and
- (iii)such number of ex officio and other members shall be nominated or elected, as the case may be, as per the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws: Provided that at least four members shall be women: Provided further that the voting rights of elected representatives of the Athletes Committee in the Executive Committee shall be as determined by the bye-laws;
- (c)an Ethics Committee to be constituted as per its bye-laws and the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable: Provided that the Ethics Committee of the National Olympic Committee shall function as the Ethics Committee of any National Sports Body which does not have such Committee;
- (d)a Dispute Resolution Committee to be constituted as per its bye-laws and the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable: Provided that the Dispute Resolution Committee of the National Olympic Committee shall function as the Dispute Resolution Committee of any National Sports Body which does not have such Committee;
- (e)an Athletes Committee consisting of elected members as determined by the bye-laws;
- (f)a President who shall be the head of the concerned National Sports Body and shall preside over the meetings of its Executive Committee and the General Body;
- (g)a Secretary General who shall be the head of administration responsible for carrying out all decisions of the Executive Committee and the General Body: Provided that where the International Charters and Statutes provide for a full-time head of administration, by whatever name called, there shall not be an elected post of the head of administration;
- (h)a Treasurer who shall be the custodian of funds or the accounts of the concerned National Sports Body.
- (2)A person shall not be qualified to contest for election or seek nomination to, the Executive Committee, unless---
- (a)such person is a citizen of India who has attained at least twenty-five years of age;
- (b)the nomination of such person is duly proposed and seconded by a voting member of the General Body;
- (c)such person is not declared to be of unsound mind;
- (d)such person complies with the International Charters and Statutes and bye-laws relating to age and term of the Executive Committee: Provided that such person shall not be more than seventy years of age on the last date of nomination for election: Provided further that any person, aged between seventy and seventy-five years, may contest elections or seek nominations, if permitted by the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws and in case such person is elected, he shall serve for a full term;
- (e)such person, if he is a government servant, has necessary approvals from the Government, as applicable: Provided that a person shall not be qualified to contest for election or seek nomination to, the posts of the President or the Secretary General or the Treasurer, unless such person is a sportsperson of outstanding merit or, has previously served as a member for at least one full term in the Executive Committee of the National Sports Body or as the President, or the Secretary General or the Treasurer in its affiliate unit: Provided further that a person may continuously hold the position of either the President or the Secretary General or the Treasurer, as the case may be, for up to three consecutive terms separately, or in combination thereof and shall be eligible for election to such posts or to the Executive Committee after a mandatory cooling off period of one term.
- (3)The term of the Executive Committee shall be as provided in the bye-laws subject to a maximum period of four years.
- (4)The mode of election to different bodies, committees and offices including their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members thereof, and other matters of governance shall be such as may be prescribed.
Summary
- National Sports Bodies must have specific structures, including a General Body, an Executive Committee, an Ethics Committee, and an Athletes Committee.
- The Executive Committee is capped at fifteen members and must include at least two outstanding sportspersons, two athletes committee members, and at least four women.
- Key leaders like the President, Secretary General, and Treasurer must be experienced, meaning they are either outstanding sportspersons or have served a prior term in administration.
- Leaders can hold office for a maximum of three consecutive terms before a mandatory cooling-off period is required.
- Candidates for the Executive Committee must be Indian citizens, at least twenty-five years old, of sound mind, and generally under seventy years old.
Practical examples
1Rahul, aged 72, wants to run for President of the boxing federation. He checks the international charter, which allows candidates up to age 75, so his nomination is accepted under the law's special exception.
2Anita tries to run for Treasurer of the swimming federation but is disqualified because she has never served on an executive committee before and is not classified as a sportsperson of outstanding merit.
FAQ
1. How many people can be on the Executive Committee?
The Executive Committee can have a maximum of fifteen members.
2. Are women required to be on the Executive Committee?
Yes, at least four members of the Executive Committee must be women.
3. How long can someone serve as the President?
A person can serve up to three consecutive terms as President, Secretary General, or Treasurer before they must take a cooling-off period of one term.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 4 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, what is the maximum number of consecutive terms a person can serve as President, Secretary General, or Treasurer before a cooling-off period?
Q2.Under Section 4 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, what is the mandatory representation of women on the Executive Committee?
Q3.Under Section 4 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, which of the following is a strict qualification for a person seeking to be elected as the Secretary General?
Q4.Under Section 4 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, what is the standard maximum age for someone to contest an election for the Executive Committee?
Q5.Under Section 4 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, what role does the Dispute Resolution Committee of the National Olympic Committee play for other federations?