Thu Jan 01 05:41:18 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
The National Sports Governance Act in India has partially come into effect on January 1, 2026. This marks the beginning of a significant reform aimed at improving the governance and management of sports in the country. Key aspects include the establishment of a powerful National Sports Board (NSB) and a National Sports Tribunal (NST) to handle disputes. The NSB will have considerable authority over National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the power to grant affiliation, monitor finances, and impose penalties. The Act also mandates representation of athletes (“Sportspersons of Merit”) in executive committees and sets criteria for athletes seeking administrative roles, including a tiered system based on sporting achievements. Current NSFs elections will be postponed to December for full implementation of the Act.
News Article:
India’s Sports Governance Overhaul Begins: National Sports Board and Tribunal to Take Shape
New Delhi, January 1, 2026 – A new era in Indian sports governance has begun with the partial implementation of the National Sports Governance Act, effective today, January 1, 2026. The landmark legislation, touted as the most significant sporting reform in the country by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, aims to streamline the management of sports and address long-standing issues of transparency and accountability.
The initial phase of the Act focuses on establishing the groundwork for a powerful National Sports Board (NSB) and a National Sports Tribunal (NST). The NSB will wield significant influence over National Sports Federations (NSFs), possessing the authority to grant affiliations, monitor financial operations, and penalize misconduct.
The Act also mandates that sports bodies, including the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, and NSFs, incorporate at least two “Sportspersons of Merit” in their Executive Committees, injecting athlete representation into decision-making.
The Sports Ministry announced that it would delay the elections for current NSFs until December, pending the full implementation of the Act, which means that the elections of the All India Football Federation will be held quite late in the year.
“With effect from 1st January, 2026, the institutional mechanisms envisaged under the notified provisions of the Act shall become operational,” the Ministry stated in a press release.
Furthermore, the Act outlines a tiered system for athletes seeking administrative roles, prioritizing those with Olympic or World Championship medals. This move encourages former athletes to contribute their expertise and experience to the governance of sports. Interested athletes will be retired from their sport at least one year before applying for the position in administration.
The establishment of the NSB and NST is expected to address disputes and ensure fair play in the sports sector. The NSB is set to be a three-member body appointed by the Central Government, and the criteria for members includes special knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields. The members of the National Sports Tribunal will hold office for four years with an age cap of 67 years as per the rules of implementation that the Ministry posted for public feedback in October.
The phased implementation of the Act is designed to facilitate a smooth transition to the new framework. With these changes, India hopes to foster a more transparent, accountable, and athlete-centric sports ecosystem.
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