Page 22 - NIS English 16-31 August 2025

Khelta Bharat,
COVER STORY Khilta Bharat

A big move towards improving
were held in India after that, but the devel-
opment of sports remained abysmally low. In transparency and functioning
1982, for the first time, a policy initiative was Taking a huge step towards improving sports,
taken regarding sports, and the Sports Depart- Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, Dr.
ment was formed. After that, for the first time Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the National
in 1984, a sports policy was made, the objective Sports Administration Bill-2025 in the Lok Sabha
of which was to develop infrastructure for on 23 July. Many provisions have been made in
sports and promote public participation. But, the bill to improve the functioning of sports
the pace at which sports should have been organizations, which includes important steps,
promoted could not be given momentum. On including monitoring of all sports associations after
the occasion of International Youth Year, 1985, the law is made…
its name was changed to the Department of
Youth Affairs and Sports. In 1991, during the Further Steps... Benefits…
period of economic liberalization, the expec- n All national sports n A National Sports Tribunal
tations soared that the initiatives for sports in organisations and will be established for
India would gain momentum, but it remained regional sports quick resolution of
far below expectations. The transformative ini- bodies in India complaints. It will work
tiative for sports came when it was established will have to get under the chairmanship of
as a separate ministry on 27 May 2000 during recognition under a a former Supreme Court
the government of former Prime Minister Atal new law. judge or Chief Justice of
Bihari Vajpayee. As a result, India got successes the High Court.
like Karnam Malleswari, Rajyavardhan Singh n A National Sports
Rathore, Abhinav Bindra, Vijender Singh, and Board will be formed, n The decisions of the
Mary Kom raised the pride of the nation in the which will monitor all Board can be challenged
subsequent Olympics. But, this was very little in sports organisations. in the Tribunal. Its
terms of a large and capable country like India. This Board will decide orders will be binding
Learning from the experience of the past and which organisation like that of a civil court.
embarking on the path of the future, National will get recognition There will also be a
Sports Policy - 2025 is a landmark initiative and whose provision for direct
aimed at reshaping the country’s sports land- recognition will be appeal to the Supreme
scape and empowering citizens through sports. cancelled. A code of Court.
The policy focuses on strengthening sports ethics will have to n Accountability will
programmes from the grassroots to the elite be made for players, be ensured while
levels, including early talent identification and coaches, and sports recognising the
mentoring, promoting competitive leagues and officials. This will stop autonomy of sports
competitions, and developing infrastructure in misbehaviour and institutions.
rural and urban areas. It aims to build world- corruption.
class systems for training, coaching, and n Uniform governance
overall athlete support, while enhancing system to be established in
the capacity and governance of National the Olympics, Paralympics,
Sports Federations. The National and other recognised
Sports Policy All recognized sports sports.
2025 provides a bodies will be brought n The Internal Code of
comprehensive under the ambit of Conduct Committee
the RTI to ensure
roadmap to transparency. “Safe and Dispute Resolution
transform India Sports Policy” will be Committee will be made
into a global implemented for the mandatory in every
sporting nation. safety of athletes. sports institution.

20 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || August 16-31, 2025