Media365
New Delhi: The National Sports Governance Bill, which aims to provide for ethical practices in sports through good governance, will be tabled in the Parliament in the upcoming monsoon session of the House, beginning July 21, sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated on Monday. The ministry has allayed the fears of national sports federations (NSFs), which saw the legislation as an infringement on their autonomy by the govt, by incorporating their suggestions. The ministry has also amended the bill as per the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) charter and statutes, rules and regulations of the international federations (IFs). “The bill will be tabled in the Parliament during the upcoming session. It’s ready,” Mandaviya said. The govt said it has no intention to interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the sports bodies and the purpose of the bill is to put an end to the NSFs’ internal dispute and politics. The establishment of a ‘Sports Regulatory Board’ is one of the key features of the Bill. The body will have the power to grant, renew and suspend the affiliation of IOA and NSFs. Mandaviya also stressed on the need to have a ‘united’ Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and called for the internal crisis plaguing the national Olympic committee to end so that the country’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games doesn’t get stalled. On media reports from Pakistan that its hockey teams won’t travel to India for next month’s men’s Asia Cup and FIH Junior World Cup, Mandaviya said, “We don’t have any problems playing with Pakistan in international sporting events, be it cricket, hockey or any other sport. But when it comes to bilateral engagements, the govt position is known to all. We will grant them (Pakistan) visas for the hockey tournaments. It is up to their govt now to decide.”MYAS to organise 3-day conclave against drug addiction The youth affairs department of the ministry will be organising a three-day ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ starting July 18 in Varanasi where 500 young delegates will deliberate, and ideate actionable strategies against the drug addiction menace, Mandaviya informed.
