Parliamentary committee discusses Sports Bill

The Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports deliberated on the proposed National Sports Development Bill and agreed that such a policy was needed to ensure professional management of sports in the country.

The Committee met here under the chairmanship of Sports Minister Ajay Maken. Maken gave an overview of the proposed legislation, and informed the Committee that a preliminary exposure draft has been placed in the public domain since last month on ministry's website, giving 30 days time for comments and suggestions.

"The draft has also been sent to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all National Sports Federations (NSFs) seeking their response within the above-mentioned time-limit," the Sports Ministry said in a statement.

During Wednesday's meeting, a detailed presentation on the salient features of the draft was made.

The draft seeks the establishment of a national sports development council headed by an eminent sportsperson; role delineation between the NSFs, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Government; model election code for IOA and NSFs; appointment of a national sports ombudsman and an appellate authority for speedy resolution of sports-related disputes; and reservation of 25 per cent membership and voting rights in IOA and NSFs for sportspersons.

"The Committee members were unanimous in their view that a sports legislation at the national level was essential to promote professional management of sports in India; protect of sportspersons' rights; strengthen the talent identification and development system in the country; and ensure fair and transparent selection of national teams."

Members of Parliament  -- Meenakshi Natrajan, Kirti Azad, Rajan Sushant, Satabadi Roy, K.C. Singh Baba, Nripendra Nath Roy, Mausam Noor and Kaptan Singh Solanki -- were present at the meeting.