Sports Ministry Allows NSFs Election Delay

The Sports Ministry in India has allowed all National Sports Federations (NSFs) to postpone their elections until the end of 2026.

This is to give them time to make the necessary changes required by a new law called the National Sports Governance (NSG) Act, 2025.

The new law needs federations to have 15 members in their Executive Committee, with at least 4 of them being outstanding sportspersons.

The term for these committees is set at 4 years.

The current leaders will continue until the new elections.

The only exception is if a court has ordered otherwise.

The Sports Minister said that the procedures for the new law are ready and it will be fully implemented starting January 2026.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) are among the federations affected by this decision.

The AIFF's current term ends in September 2026, and it remains to be seen if they will use the extended time to align their constitution with the new law.

If they do not hold elections, FIFA might see it as government intervention.