THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) & (b): Madam, Government has already issued guidelines imposing age and tenure limits
in respect of office bearers of National Sports Federations (NSFs), including those of the
Indian Olympic Association. These have further been reiterated in the National Sports
Development Code of India-2011, which has been made effective from 31-1-2011. The sailent
features of these guidelines are as under:
(i) The President of any recognized National Sports Federation, including the Indian Olympic
Association can hold office for a maximum period of twelve years with or without break.
(ii) The Secretary (Secretary General/General Secretary) and the Treasurer of any recognized
National Sports Federation, including the Indian Olympic Association, may serve a maximum of
two successive terms of four years each after which a minimum cooling off period of 4 years
will apply to seek fresh election to either post.
(iii) The President, the Secretary and the Treasurer of any recognized National Sports
Federation, including the Indian Olympic Association, shall cease to hold the post on
attaining the age of 70 years.
It is also mandatory for every NSF to have at least 25% sportspersons in their management
committee with voting rights. Compliance with the directions of the Government by the NSFs
has been made mandatory to receive government recognition and thereby become eligible to
receive financial as well as other forms of assistance from the Government of India.
(c) &(d):All recognized NSFs have agreed to abide by the National Sports Development Code
except the Archery Association of India. The Government has de-recognized it. Also, the
Indian Olympic Association has filed a writ petition in Delhi High Court challenging the age and tenure guidelines for the office bearers of the NSFs.
