Wed Feb 26 08:13:55 UTC 2025: ## India Forms Committee to Reform Sports Funding Ahead of 2036 Olympics Bid
**New Delhi, February 26, 2025** – The Indian sports ministry has established a six-member committee to overhaul its financial assistance system for National Sports Federations (NSFs). This move comes in anticipation of the challenges India will face in its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
The committee, chaired by Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal, will review the “Scheme of Assistance to NSFs” and propose revised funding norms. Other members include key figures from the sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), including the IWF president and IOA treasurer, Sahdev Yadav.
The ministry’s decision follows India’s submission of a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Games. Currently, NSFs receive approximately ₹400 crore annually, a slight increase from the previous year. However, the ministry is considering a new graded funding system, where financial support will be contingent on NSFs adhering to good governance standards outlined in the upcoming national sports bill.
This bill, expected to be presented to Parliament soon, proposes significant reforms, including the creation of Ethics and Dispute Resolution Commissions, and a Sports Regulatory Board. The latter, however, has sparked controversy, with IOA President P.T. Usha expressing concerns about potential government overreach. The committee’s work will be crucial in shaping the future of sports funding in India and ensuring its readiness for a potential 2036 Olympic Games.
First Piper 