The Sports Ministry on Tuesday officially notified the operational rules for the soon-to-be-established National Sports Tribunal (NST) and National Sports Board (NSB), announcing that a dedicated digital portal would be created for filing disputes and maintaining legal records.
In separate notifications outlining the functions of both entities, which are set to be constituted under the National Sports Governance Act passed last year, the ministry reiterated that a search-cum-selection committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary is currently being formed.
The National Sports Board, which will serve as the apex authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and monitoring compliance with governance, financial and ethical standards, will consist of a Chairperson and two members. The body will have a tenure of three years.
While the government has not specified the strength of the National Sports Tribunal, the operational rules for the NST include several techno-legal provisions designed to facilitate ‘digital implementation’.
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“These include notification of a dedicated portal by the Central Government for submission of disputes, notices, replies, documents and clarifications, along with communication from the Tribunal, publication of orders, virtual hearings and preservation of records relating to proceedings and decisions,” the ministry stated. The Tribunal is being established as a specialised adjudicatory body to exclusively deal with sports-related disputes across the country.
“It aims to reduce dependence on civil courts and ensure independent, swift, effective and cost-efficient resolution of disputes concerning sports governance and administration,” the ministry said.
The government also reiterated that if the appointed Chairperson or any member of the Tribunal is a serving judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, “he shall either resign or seek voluntary retirement from his parent service before joining the Tribunal.”
Apart from granting affiliation, the National Sports Board will also maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel as well as a register of affiliate units of National Sports Bodies.
The Board has additionally been authorised to frame model guidelines and regulations concerning sports governance. An upper age limit of 65 years has been prescribed for its members.
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