Thread by @TheRahulMehra

Pl read this thread in continuation of my last one on the regressive nature of the Sports Bill 2025 being anti-sports.

I am highlighting herein 11 more critical issues which no one else has raised.

Must complement this Govt for incredible media & stakeholder management👏
(1/n)

XIV. No Tenure Restriction Govt Servants

Currently Govt Servants are permitted to contest elections in cases they have prior permission for the same and can govern only for 1 term or 5 yrs whichever is less.

Under the Sports Bill, there is no such tenure restriction.
(2/n)

XV. Size of Executive Committee (EC) with 15 members is large & unreasonable

Currently under the Govt Sports Code ordinarily an NSF can have an EC comprising of 7 members.

Under the Sports Bill a maximum of 15 have been permitted.
(3/n)

XVI. Govt power to relax age restriction further

Currently no member can hold any office beyond the age of 70 yrs.

Under Sports Bill, in case a member of an EC is serving as an executive in an International Sports Body then no upper age limit of 70-75 years shall apply.
(4/n)

XVII. Power to exempt any or all provisions

This power was introduced in 2021 and is currently under challenge.

However, under the garb of public interest, Govt has got special powers to exempt any sports body fm following all or any of the provisions of the Sports Bill.
(5/n)

XIX. No Arbitration Commission

Sports Bill has completely done away with the concept of Arbitration Commission and hence there is no independent, cost effective, speedy and efficacious remedy provided to the sportspersons who are generally people of meagre means.
(6/n)

XX. Citizens barred fm filing complaints seeking suspension/cancellation of recognition.

As per 2004 BCCI judgment {Rahul Mehra Vs UOI, BCCI) any person has the right to challenge any sports body to perform key public functions.

SportsBill has provisions to the contrary
(7/n)

XXI. Devil is always in the details which have not been provided in the Sports Bill at all.

For each & every Commission / Board / Tribunal / Sports body & its affiliate and/or any other body/Institution provided for under the Sports Bill there is stoic silence maintained
(8/n)

as regards critical provisions pertaining to the specific condition, composition, appointment, selection, term, eligibility criteria, disqualification, etc.

No detail whatsoever is provided and hence the Bill is open to a lot of abuse and dilution subsequently.

(8A/n)

XXII. Power to make Rules & Regulations

Everything critical has been left completely unaddressed in the Sports Bill such as Terms & Conditions and Eligibility Criteria for Recognition and Derecognition of an NSF and/or its Affiliate by the National Sports Board.

(9/n)

There is no clarity on what “Regional Sports Federations”, “National Sports Promotion Organisation”, “Other Units”, etc mean and whether defunct bodies like “State Olympic Associations” are granted voting rights or fall under any of these contrary to court orders.
(9A/n)

XXIII. No Model Election Guidelines (MEG)

Currently under Govt Sports Code, every election of all sports bodies to be free & fair has to be conducted as per the MEG.

Under the Sports Bill MEG has been done away with in order to promote undemocratic & unfair elections.
(10/n)

XXIV. No clarity as regards constitution, composition, term, eligibility etc of any of these bodies👇

Athletes Comm & Sportspersons of o/s merit

Ethics Comm & Code of Ethics

Safe Sports Policy

Grievance Redressal

National Sports Board

National Sports Tribunal, etc
(11/11)