Bhubaneswar: In a major development for the country’s sports ecosystem, Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, the President of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) and ASSOCHAM Chairman, Odisha State Development Council, has expressed strong support for the recently enacted National Sports Governance Bill, 2025.
Approved by Parliament, the landmark legislation is being hailed as a transformative step toward instilling good governance, transparency, and ethical standards across all sports bodies in India.
In an official statement, Shri Mohanty praised the Central Government for introducing the bill, which he believes will infuse a new level of accountability into the country’s athletic federations.
“The bill is a game-changer,” Shri Mohanty stated. “It establishes a clear framework for professional, transparent, and rule-bound sports federations, which is a crucial step for India as we strive to become a global sporting powerhouse.”
Shri Mohanty specifically highlighted two key provisions of the bill: the creation of the National Sports Board (NSB) and the National Sports Tribunal.
The NSB will serve as the primary regulatory authority, tasked with granting recognition to national sports bodies and ensuring their compliance with the new governance norms.
The Tribunal, meanwhile, will provide a dedicated and structured mechanism for resolving sports-related disputes, a move that is expected to significantly reduce the hundreds of legal battles that have often plagued federations and hindered athletic progress.
“This is a major win for our athletes,” Shri Mohanty added. “The establishment of a specialized tribunal will ensure that disputes related to selection, elections, or governance are resolved swiftly and expertly, allowing our sportspersons to focus on their training and performance.”
The bill also mandates the inclusion of mandatory representation for athletes and women on the executive committees of national sports bodies.
Shri Mohanty lauded this as a progressive step, stating that it ensures a more inclusive and athlete-centric approach to administration.
“This provision is vital for the holistic development of sports. By giving athletes and women a voice in the leadership, we are building a more equitable and representative system from the inside out,” ASSOCHAM Chief Of Odisha State Development Council Shri Mohanty said.
Shri Mohanty affirmed the Odisha Cricket Association’s full commitment to the new legislation. “The OCA is ready to embrace and implement these new governance norms to further elevate cricket and other sports in Odisha,” he said.
OCA Chief expressed confidence that the bill will foster a healthier and more professional environment for both athletes and administrators, thereby laying the groundwork for India’s ambitions to host major international events, including a potential bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
The National Sports Governance Bill is viewed as a significant milestone, designed not only to improve India’s medal prospects on the world stage but also to ensure dignity, fairness, and institutional support for every athlete.