BCCI Elections and the New Governance Act: A Balancing Act

The Sports Ministry is striving to have the forthcoming BCCI elections conducted in accordance with the National Sports Governance Act. However, if the Act's rules are not announced in time, the cricketing body may proceed under the Supreme Court-endorsed Lodha Committee recommendations, as informed by a sports ministry source on Thursday.

With the goal of fully implementing the bill over the next six months, the ministry plans to release comprehensive guidelines and regulations sooner. In other developments, the ministry welcomes the passing of the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025' by Parliament, which aims to ban real money gaming due to its harmful effects.

Concerns raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on sports about the under-funding of the Sports Authority of India and the Khelo India Scheme are being taken seriously. The ministry commits to addressing these issues, acknowledging the importance of such reports and pledging to resolve identified shortcomings.

(With inputs from agencies.)