Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 1: The landmark National Sports Governance Act will partially come into force from January 1, 2026, the Union Sports Ministry announced on Wednesday, paving the way for the establishment of a powerful National Sports Board (NSB) and a National Sports Tribunal (NST) to adjudicate sporting disputes.

The Act was notified in the Official Gazette on August 18. In a press release, the ministry said the Central Government has appointed January 1, 2026, as the date on which several key provisions of the Act will become operational.

The provisions coming into force pertain to the establishment and governance framework of National Sports Bodies, including the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federations (NSFs) and Regional Sports Federations.

Following elections conducted under the Act, all these bodies will be required to constitute Executive Committees with a maximum of 15 members, including at least two Sportspersons of Merit.

The partial rollout of the Act will also initiate the process for constituting the National Sports Board and the National Sports Tribunal. The NSB will comprise a Chairperson and members appointed by the Central Government from among persons of “ability, integrity and standing” with expertise in public administration, sports governance, sports law and related fields. These appointments will be made based on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee.

“The phased commencement of the Act is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to the statutory sports governance framework,” the Sports Ministry said.

The ministry has already permitted National Sports Federations with elections due in the coming months to defer the process until December, when the Act is expected to be fully implemented.

“With effect from January 1, 2026, the institutional mechanisms envisaged under the notified provisions of the Act shall become operational,” the ministry stated.

Once fully functional, the three-member National Sports Board will have the authority to grant affiliation to NSFs, monitor their financial operations and impose penalties for violations.

As per draft implementation rules released for public feedback in October, members of the National Sports Tribunal will hold office for four years, with an upper age limit of 67 years.