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The cricket governing body of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has made its position clear on the much-debated National Sports Governance Act. In the recently held annual general meeting, the board officials invested a significant amount of time discussing the act.
Cricket in India belongs to a special segment, as the cricket board does not receive any financial support from the central government, unlike the other sports authorities in the nation.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirms BCCI's position
As the NSG Act is set to be imposed on the sports governing bodies across the nation, BCCI will have to finalize its stance on whether to act in support of the rule or to remain an autonomous body.
After the meeting, the board secretary Devajit Saikia discussed their stance on the NSG Act. He claimed that they will act as per the rules of the Act as soon as they receive any further notification.
Devajit Saikia on the National Sports Governance Act
After receiving the notification, the board will undertake some measures to their authorative structure. But now, as there is no official notification, BCCI will keep running as it has been running for a long time.
"Regarding the Sports Act, our stand is very clear. There are a lot of things which have to be done by the authority concerned. Once those exercises are completed and once the BCCI comes under the Sports Act, a particular notification has to be issued to make it a designated sport," board Secretary Devajit Saikia said the BCCI is not trying to circumvent the NSG Act.
"Till that time, we are not supposed to do anything. Whenever that notification comes, we will spring into action. We will do our job as per the rules of the new Sports Act. So, as of today, there is nothing like what was discussed in the Supreme Court that day. We will clarify on October 27, when the matter will be listed next time," he added.
What is the National Sports Governance Act?
The National Sports Governance Act is considered one of the landmark decisions in Indian sports history. The purpose of the act is to grant, suspend, or revoke the recognition of sports federations and ensure compliance. Additionally, the act will provide security to the sports governing bodies in legal matters like the general elections within the governing bodies for different sports across the nation. This act will impose an age cap on officials as well.
At the beginning of a 17-page explanation, the National Sports Governance Act 2025 mentions, "An act to provide for the development and promotion of sports, welfare measures for sportspersons, ethical practices based on basic universal principles of good governance, ethics and fair play of the Olympic and sports movement, the Olympic Charter, the Paralympic Charter, international best practices and established legal standards and to provide for the resolution of sports grievances and sports disputes in a unified, equitable and effective manner and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto"
