Section 9 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025
Power of Board to conduct inquiry.
The Board may, either on its own motion, or in response to complaint received from any person or body on matters affecting the welfare of sportspersons or the development of sports in the country or misuse of public funds, conduct an inquiry where it is satisfied that there is a reasonable cause so to do: Provided that no such complaint shall be entertained unless the complainant has exhausted all available remedies with the National Sports Body or its affiliate units: Provided further that the Board may entertain such complaint if it is satisfied that accessing those remedies would result in unnecessary delay or unreasonable prejudice.
Summary
- The Board can start an investigation into matters affecting the welfare of athletes, the development of sports, or the misuse of public funds.
- The Board can start this investigation on its own, or it can investigate after receiving a complaint from a person or a group, provided there is a reasonable cause.
- Usually, a person complaining must first try to solve the issue using the sports body's internal complaint system before the Board will step in.
- However, the Board can accept a complaint right away if using the internal system would cause unfair prejudice or unreasonable delay.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can the Board investigate a sports body just because it feels like it?
No, the Board must be satisfied that there is a "reasonable cause" to conduct the inquiry.
2. Do I always have to use my sports federation's internal complaint process first?
Generally yes, but if you can show the Board that using the internal process would cause an unreasonable delay or unfair harm, they can skip that requirement and help you directly.
3. What specific types of issues will the Board investigate?
Issues regarding the welfare of sportspersons, the development of sports in the country, or the misuse of public funds.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 9 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, which of the following is an explicit ground upon which the Board can conduct an inquiry?
Q2.Under Section 9 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, what procedural hurdle must a complainant generally clear before the Board will entertain their complaint?
Q3.Under Section 9 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, under what specific circumstance can the Board bypass the requirement that a complainant must first exhaust internal remedies?
Q4.Under Section 9 of The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, does the Board require a formally submitted complaint from a victim to initiate an inquiry into athlete welfare?