Cuttack, Odisha. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified its position on the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, stating that the provisions of the new law do not currently apply to cricket or the BCCI. In an affidavit filed before the Orissa High Court, the BCCI said that cricket must first be officially notified as a “designated sport” under the law before its provisions can become applicable.
The BCCI submitted its response during the hearing of a case related to the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA). In its affidavit filed before the court on August 19, the Board stated that the provisions of the law do not automatically become applicable to cricket merely because Parliament has passed the legislation and it has come into force.
The affidavit was filed by BCCI Senior Manager (Legal), Melinda Colaco, before the court of Justice Savitri Ratho. According to the affidavit, cricket has not yet been notified as a designated sport under the National Sports Governance Act. Therefore, under the current legal position, the provisions of the Act do not apply to the BCCI.
In the case related to the Odisha Cricket Association elections, the BCCI also told the court that the OCA should hold its elections soon. The Board argued that office-bearers continuing in their positions for an extended period would be contrary to Supreme Court directions and the association’s rules.
According to sources associated with the BCCI, until the National Sports Governance Act becomes applicable to cricket, the BCCI and its state associations will continue to function under the constitution prepared on the basis of the recommendations of the Lodha Committee and directions issued by the Supreme Court.
Under the existing rules, an office-bearer can serve a total of three terms of three years each, or a maximum of nine years. However, a person can hold office for only two consecutive terms, or six years, after which a mandatory cooling-off period of three years must be completed.
The Central Government has initiated steps to bring all sports federations under the framework of the National Sports Governance Act. According to sources, sports bodies have been asked to complete the necessary process under the new law by December. The Act also provides for recognition from the National Sports Board.
However, the situation remains different for cricket. The BCCI maintains that until the government formally declares cricket a “designated sport,” the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, will not apply to the Board. For now, the BCCI will continue to operate under its existing constitution and the framework established through Supreme Court directions.
