The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that Government only deals with recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs). It does not deal with State/District level associations including State Olympic Associations.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, NSFs and their affiliated units including the State level associations are autonomous bodies registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860/Companies Act. The Government does not interfere in their day to day affairs. In order to bring in transparency and good governance in sports bodies, the Government has issued guidelines. These guidelines are contained in the National Sports Development Code of India (NSDCI). Some of the major features of NSDCI are as under :
i. The President of any recognized NSFs, including the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) can hold the office for a maximum period of twelve years with or without break.
ii. The Secretary (or by whatever other designation such as Secretary General or General Secretary by which he is referred to) and the Treasurer of any recognized NSF, including the IOA, may serve a maximum of two successive terms of four years each after which a minimum cooling off period of four years will apply to seek fresh election to either post.
The President, the Secretary and the Treasurer of any recognized NSF, including the IOA, shall cease to hold that post on attaining the age of 70 years. Hon'ble Delhi High Court has upheld the validity of the Sports Code vide judgement dated 9.5.2014 in W.P.(C) No.2310/2012. In the light of this judgement all the State Governments have been advised to take necessary steps to ensure good governance and transparency in the functioning of the State/District level associations including the State Olympic Associations, the Minister added.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, NSFs and their affiliated units including the State level associations are autonomous bodies registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860/Companies Act. The Government does not interfere in their day to day affairs. In order to bring in transparency and good governance in sports bodies, the Government has issued guidelines. These guidelines are contained in the National Sports Development Code of India (NSDCI). Some of the major features of NSDCI are as under :
i. The President of any recognized NSFs, including the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) can hold the office for a maximum period of twelve years with or without break.
ii. The Secretary (or by whatever other designation such as Secretary General or General Secretary by which he is referred to) and the Treasurer of any recognized NSF, including the IOA, may serve a maximum of two successive terms of four years each after which a minimum cooling off period of four years will apply to seek fresh election to either post.
The President, the Secretary and the Treasurer of any recognized NSF, including the IOA, shall cease to hold that post on attaining the age of 70 years. Hon'ble Delhi High Court has upheld the validity of the Sports Code vide judgement dated 9.5.2014 in W.P.(C) No.2310/2012. In the light of this judgement all the State Governments have been advised to take necessary steps to ensure good governance and transparency in the functioning of the State/District level associations including the State Olympic Associations, the Minister added.
