Government is going to introduce a Sports Bill

Introduction of Sports Bill-The Government is going to introduce a Sports Bill. This was stated by Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports, in the Rajya Sabha today, in a written reply to a question by Shri Moinul Hassan. Giving details, the Minister said that in order to bring transparency and accountability in the functioning of the National Sports Federations and Indian Olympic Association , the Government is formulating a regulatory framework with the objective of promoting good governance among sports bodies. The Draft of the National Sports Bill has been placed in the public domain for pre-legislative stakeholders consultations. Following are the salient features of the proposed National Sports Development Bill, 2011:- a) Central Government support for development and promotion of sports including financial and other support for preparation of National teams, athletes’ welfare measures and promoting ethical practices in sports including elimination of doping practices, fraud in age and sexual harassment in sports, Rights and obligations of the Indian Olympic Association and National Sports Federations (including adoption of basic universal principles of good governance and professional management of sports). b) Participation of athletes in the management/decision making of the concerned National Sports Federation and the Indian Olympic Association through the Athletes Advisory Council. c) Duties and responsibilities of the Sports Authority of India and the Government of India, which have been clearly defined. d) Mechanism for sports dispute settlement and establishment of a Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal. e) Greater autonomy to National Sports Federations and dilution of control of Government over the National Sports Federations. f) Bring National Sports Federations under Right to Information Act, 2005 with certain exclusion clauses for protecting personal/confidential information relating to athletes. g) Specific provision has been inserted in the anti-doping clause to exclude the administering by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) of those provisions of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Code to which the International Federation of the Sport is not subject. h) A duty has been enjoined upon the coaches, guardians and other support personnel to prevent unethical practices in sports such as doping and fraud of age. i) Specific provisions have also been made to ensure that National Sports Federation, the National Olympic Committee, the Sports Authority of India adopt or undertake measures not only to prohibit sexual harassment at workplace for sports but also provide appropriate conditions for women in respect of work, leisure, health and hygiene. Other measures have been provided for setting up a complaint mechanism for redressal of complaints with a committee headed by a woman, or a special counselor, whilst adhering to the principle of confidentiality.