New Delhi, Jan 12 (NationPress) - The Union Government has officially announced the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. This new set of guidelines aims to facilitate the inclusion of a minimum of four former athletes in the administration of sports organizations, promote gender equality within executive bodies, and establish provisions for the National Sports Election Panel.

The Rules create a comprehensive framework for incorporating top-performing athletes, structuring the General Body and Executive Committee, defining election protocols, and detailing disqualification criteria for members of National Sports Bodies and Regional Sports Federations.

Among the key features, these Rules mandate the inclusion of at least four outstanding merit sportspersons (SOMs) in the General Bodies of National Sports Bodies. To promote female representation, the regulations stipulate that fifty percent of these SOMs must be women.

To guarantee female representation in the Executive Committee of National Sports Bodies, the Rules specify the reservation of certain positions for women within the Executive Committee, as required by the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

The Rules also delineate the general eligibility criteria and tiered representation benchmarks for SOMs in the General Body and Executive Committee.

Sportspersons aspiring to be recognized as SOMs must be at least 25 years old, have retired from active sports, and should not have participated in competitive events that could lead to selection for district, state, or national representation for at least one year prior to their application.

A tiered criterion has been introduced that takes into account the types of sports and the achievements of Indian athletes across various disciplines.

The tiered criteria categorize 10 levels, starting from athletes who have earned medals in the Summer Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, or Winter Olympic Games, down to those who have secured medals in the National Games or National Championships.

The tiered criteria are designed to be versatile enough to accommodate the needs of various sports disciplines.

These Rules provide detailed election procedures for the Executive Committee, including timelines for each election phase, from application submission for SOMs to the announcement of elections, final electoral roll publication, and nomination invitations.

Disqualifications for membership in the General Body or any committee of a National Sports Body are clearly outlined, rendering individuals convicted of criminal offenses ineligible for election to the Executive Committee or Athletes Committee.

Among the disqualifications, individuals sentenced to imprisonment by a court of law are barred from contesting elections or holding membership in the General Body or any committee of a National Sports Body.

The Rules stipulate that the roster of the National Sports Election Panel must always consist of at least 20 members who meet the qualifications set forth by the National Sports Governance Act 2025.

The fee for the electoral officer appointed from the Election Panel will be determined by the National Sports Body in agreement with the electoral officer, capped at Rs. 5 lakh, plus fees for an assistant, if applicable.

Moreover, every National Sports Body is required to amend its bye-laws to comply with the Act within six months.

The Rules empower the Central Government to grant a 12-month relaxation of certain provisions upon request from a National Sports Body, with justifications documented in writing.

This notification of the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules signifies a pivotal progression towards the establishment of a statutory sports governance framework following the enactment of the National Sports Governance Act 2025.