PlayCom 2025: National Sports Governance Act breakdown — Experts give their take

The recently enacted National Sports Governance Act will provide stability to Indian sports administration, believes Vidushpat Singhania, Managing Partner, Krida Legal, during a panel discussion at PlayCom 2025: Business of Sports Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on Friday.

The panel, titled ‘Breaking Down the National Sports Governance Act’, saw Singhania, one of India’s foremost Sports & Gaming lawyers, in conversation with Kunal (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports). The conversation was moderated by Ayon Sengupta, Editor, Sportstar.

“There is going to be more stability in the federations and which is actually the major requirement especially if they are going to bid for major events like the Olympics, the Commonwealth and even the world championship. You need stability. Even the leagues which are there, they need stability,” said Singhania.

National Sports Governance Act provides that every national sports body will have a general body, consisting of an equal number of representatives from each affiliate member and certain ex-officio members.

The holistic nature of the Act was highlighted by Kunal, who oversees the governance of the National Sports Federations, the National Centre for Sports Science & Research (NCSSR), the National Sports University, and the Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education.

“This Act is essential to address the complete ecosystem of sports and when we see the issues which are plaguing the sports ecosystem which hinges on the development of sports as a driver of economy, as a social change is the good governance framework. This Bill and now it has become an Act is built upon the three core pillars. Athlete centricism, good governance and global alignment.

“So, it is holistically addressing the core issues which are required for successful functioning of a federation, successful participation of athletes, proper development of the sporting pyramid from the top to bottom and adhering to the Olympic Charter and international rules and regulations. So, this Act is holistically addressing all these issues,” added Kunal.

The Act also mandates the creation of a National Sports Board (NSB) which will oversee all sports federations. In addition, aspirants for the top positions in national federations will be required to serve just one term in the executive committee, instead of the “overly restrictive” eligibility rule of two terms prescribed earlier, to encourage “younger administrators and athlete-leaders”.

“The Bill will be the single biggest reform in sports since Independence. Through this Bill, we hope to realise the dream of ground to glory,” said sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya after the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha.

PlayCom 2025 is organised by The Hindu Group’s Sportstar, in partnership with global consulting firm KPMG India.

The two-day conclave, supported by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Government of Punjab, the Government of Odisha and JK Tyre, brings together leaders from sport, business and policy to debate how India can shape the global sporting future.

Published on Sep 12, 2025