Question : TENURE OF ADMINISTRATORS IN SPORTS FEDERATIONS

(a) whether the Government proposes to implement age cap and tenure caps for the office bearers/administrators of National Sports Federations/Sports Bodies;

(b) if so, the details and the purpose thereof;

(c) the details of guidelines relating to tenure and age restriction issued by the Government alongwith the achievement made regarding compliance of such guidelines; and

(d) the measures taken by the Government to increase transparency and accountability in the working of national sports bodies?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) & (c):Government have been issuing instructions regarding improvement of standards of sports and games in the country since the year 1975, 1988, 1997 and 2001 with provision on tenure cap of the office bearers/administrators of national sports federations but the same was kept in abeyance since 2001 due to strong opposition from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and National Sports Federations (NSFs). In 2010, the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in its order on a civil writ petition observed categorically that the Government guidelines governing the NSFs were valid, binding and enforceable; and the tenure clause is not in violation of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) charter. In another PIL, the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi expressed deep concern at inaction on the part of the government in the matter relating to unlimited tenure of office bearers of NSFs. In view of the concern express by the Hon’ble Court as well as views expressed by Parliamentarians and general public in the matter, it was decided to impose cap of age and tenure of the office bearers of the National Sports Federations and revised guidelines were issued on 1st May, 2010.So far 41 NSFs, out of 67 recognized National Sports Federations, have implemented these guidelines.

(d)As per the Government Guidelines, the Government has inter-alia taken the following measures to increase transparency and accountability in the working of national sports bodies:

(i) Elections of sports bodies should be governed by clear, transparent, and fair rules including a clear electoral roll, an independent Returning Officer, and secret ballot.

(ii) Adequate procedural regulations to ensure there is no conflict of interests.

(iii) The terms of office bearers should be of limited duration to allow access to new candidates.

(iv) 25% of the members, with voting right, in Executive Committee should be sportspersons of repute.

(v) There should be a Dispute Redressal Cell to solve dispute with players.

(vi) All NSFs getting more that Rs. 10.00 lakh as Government grant must be under the ambit of RTI Act.

(vii) All NSFs must post their annual accounts and other vital information on their websites for information of general public.