For decades, Indian sports federations have functioned largely on their own terms. Leadership often remained in the same hands for decades, and there was no binding law to regulate how these bodies were run. While this system created pockets of stability, it also left athletes with little say in decisions that shaped their careers. The recently passed National Sports Governance Bill 2025 marks a decisive break from that past. For the first time, India will have a legal framework that resets the rules of governance in sport.

One of the most encouraging reforms included in the Bill is athlete representation, now grounded in a clear structure. Under the Bill, every national sports body must have an executive committee capped at 15   members, including at least two sportspersons of outstanding merit, two members elected from the athletes' committee, and a minimum of    four women. This ensures that athletes - especially women - are in the room where calendars, selection policies and disciplinary rules are set.

The new National Sports Board (NSB), to be established by GoI, will comprise experts in public administration, sports governance and sports law. It will have key powers, such as granting or suspending recognition of sports bodies, issuing codes of ethics, and framing safe sports policies for the protection of women and minor athletes. Beyond its national mandate, NSB will also be empowered to collaborate with international sports bodies, widening its scope and influence.

Another athlete-centric change tackles a long-standing pain point: disputes that drag on for years. The creation of a National Sports Tribunal (NST) promises quicker resolution, with orders executable like civil decrees. Designed to let players focus on performance rather than prolonged legal battles, NST will resolve issues with the urgency that competitive sport demands. Its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court, ensuring finality while also reducing the burden on civil courts.

Transparency is another cornerstone of the Bill. Recognised sports bodies will now fall under the RTI Act, making decisions and processes more open to scrutiny. This is expected to build trust among athletes, fans, sponsors and the wider sporting community. The only major sporting body exempted from RTI is BCCI, as it operates without government funding, consistent with RTI's scope, which generally applies only to organisations receiving public money.

Countries like the US, Australia and many in Europe guarantee athlete representation in governance. With this Bill, India signals its intent to join that club with an athlete-first framework.

Especially for female athletes, it represents a long-awaited chance to match governance with the grit Indian athletes show - strong, determined, forward-looking. Promise finally lies in execution. If done properly, athletes will be not just performers but partners, where excellence is matched by equality. Implementation is what counts.