2 hrs ago
Supreme Court Questions BCCI Over Sports Governance Act
India’s Supreme Court is asking whether cricket officials should follow a new sports-governance law.
The law creates rules and bodies to oversee national sports organizations.
The BCCI says the law does not apply to it because cricket has not been officially included under the Act.
It also says it does not receive government grants.
The Odisha Cricket Association has delayed its elections while it studies the law.
The BCCI says the association should hold the elections or could lose funding and recognition.
The court wants the BCCI and state associations to explain their positions.
The BCCI is expected to discuss the issue at its annual meeting on September 18.
The Supreme Court asked the BCCI and state cricket associations why their office-bearers’ service conditions should not follow the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
The BCCI has argued that the Act does not apply because cricket has not been notified as a designated sport and the Board receives no government grants.
The Odisha Cricket Association has deferred elections while assessing the Act’s effect, citing cricket’s Olympic status and a ministry recommendation to postpone sports-body elections until December 2026.
The BCCI has urged the Odisha Cricket Association to hold elections, warning that failure could lead to withheld funds and derecognition.
The BCCI’s September 18 annual general meeting is expected to discuss the issue, while the Board may need to respond to the Supreme Court earlier.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and state cricket associations, including the Odisha Cricket Association.
- What
- The Supreme Court is examining whether office-bearers of the BCCI and state associations should be governed by the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
- Where
- The Supreme Court raised the issue, while related proceedings involving the Odisha Cricket Association are before the Odisha High Court; the BCCI AGM is scheduled in Mumbai.
- When
- The issue was raised on Tuesday, ahead of the BCCI’s annual general meeting on September 18.
- Why
- The court raised the matter amid litigation over state-association elections, constitutional changes, and factional disputes, while the BCCI and Odisha Cricket Association disagree over the Act’s applicability.
BCCI and Election Advocates
Odisha Association and Governance Proponents
Whether the Act applies to cricket
BCCI and Election Advocates
The BCCI says the Act does not apply because cricket has not been notified as a designated sport and the Board is not funded by the government.
Odisha Association and Governance Proponents
The Odisha Cricket Association argues that the Act’s impact must be assessed, particularly because cricket is now an Olympic sport.
Timing of state elections
BCCI and Election Advocates
The BCCI says the Odisha Cricket Association must hold its elections or risk withheld funds and derecognition.
Odisha Association and Governance Proponents
The Odisha Cricket Association has deferred elections, citing the Act and a ministry recommendation to postpone sports-body elections until December 2026.
Oversight of office-bearers
BCCI and Election Advocates
The BCCI operates under its amended constitution, including term limits, a cooling-off period, and a maximum age of 70.
Odisha Association and Governance Proponents
The Supreme Court is asking why office-bearers’ terms and service conditions should not instead be governed by the statutory sports-governance framework.
Key facts
- Law involved
- National Sports Governance Act, 2025
- Supreme Court bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana
- BCCI position
- The Act does not apply because cricket has not been notified as a designated sport and the BCCI does not receive government grants.
- Odisha association position
- The Odisha Cricket Association says elections should be deferred while the Act’s impact is assessed.
- Election deadline cited
- The Union ministry of youth affairs and sports recommended postponing sports-body elections until December 2026.
- BCCI AGM
- Scheduled for September 18 in Mumbai
- Existing BCCI term rules
- Office-bearers may serve two consecutive terms, followed by a three-year cooling-off period, and cannot serve beyond age 70.
Quotes
Board of Control for Cricket in India
India’s national cricket governing body
“...even though the National Sports Governance Act 2025 has been enacted, the sport of cricket has not been notified as a designated sport for the National Sports Governance Act to apply.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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