Concerns have been raised by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha over the Draft Sports Bill 2024’s ambiguity around the function of State Olympic Associations (SOAs).
Debate has been sparked by the law, which seeks to improve accountability and openness in Indian sports governance, especially with regard to the independence of the IOA and National Sports Federations (NSFs).
Usha emphasized the critical role SOAs play in fostering grassroots sports potential and bridging the gap between local communities and national sports authorities during a previous stakeholders’ meeting.
Usha said that “it is vital to include the roles of SOAs clearly in the governance framework,” cautioning that the decentralization of sports governance may be undermined in the absence of appropriate recognition. She contended that the lack of a clear function for SOAs jeopardizes their ability to.
Historically, SOAs have played a key role in bridging the gap between regional and national sporting endeavors by promoting participation in sports at the state level. The government runs the risk of excluding regional organizations that are vital to the growth of India’s athletic talent if they fail to address their position in the Draft Sports Bill.
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The bill’s proposed establishment of a Sports Regulatory Authority, which would supervise and monitor the operations of different sports organizations, is another major source of disagreement. Although the goal is to stop corruption and poor management, many people, including Usha, are concerned about how this would affect the independence of sports organizations like the IOA and NSFs.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which vehemently rejects political meddling in country affairs, may react to excessive government control, PT Usha cautioned.
Usha advised the Indian government to exercise caution, citing previous cases in which nations were sanctioned by the IOC for governmental overreach. The IOC suspended India in 2012 for interfering in IOA elections, which is something that should never happen again.
PT Usha urged the government to reexamine important aspects of the bill, especially those pertaining to the independence of sports organizations and the well-defined functions of SOAs. “Balancing regulation with autonomy is essential to ensure India’s alignment with international sports governance standards,” Usha said.