**Executive Summary**
The document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 366 in the Lok Sabha, to be answered on February 2, 2026, regarding the Report on Gaps in Indian Sports Governance. The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports confirms the submission of the report by a Task Force on Capacity Building of Sports Administrators formed in July 2025. The report is available online, and the government has taken steps to address the identified gaps in sports governance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Report Submission and Access:**
* A report on Capacity Building of Sports Administration has been submitted by a Task Force to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
* The report is accessible at [https://yas.nic.in/en/sports/capacity-building](https://yas.nic.in/en/sports/capacity-building).
* **Gaps in Sports Governance Identified in Report:**
* Lack of a professional cadre of sports administrators.
* Fragmented training opportunities.
* Gaps in sports education for developing administrative capabilities.
* Inadequate athlete pathways into governance.
* Inadequate use of digital tools.
* **Government Measures to Strengthen Sports Administration:**
* Criteria for assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) revised in May 2025.
* NSFs can allocate up to 10% of their total budget for administrative staff.
* Expenditure for administrative operations, legal services, and appointment of young professionals or interns is permitted up to 2.5% of the annual budget.
* NSFs are mandated to have a proper administrative structure and ensure proper advertising for staff appointments.
* **Overall Goal:**
* These reforms aim to establish a globally respected, athlete-centric governance framework.
* The aim is to prepare India for the Games of 2036 and beyond.
* The government has initiated this preparation by enacting the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**National Sports Federations (NSFs)**
*Impact*
NSFs are impacted by the revised guidelines for financial assistance, including budget allocation for administrative staff and permitted expenditure for professional services. They are also impacted by the mandated requirements for administrative structure and staff appointments.
*Action Required*
NSFs need to review and adjust their budget allocation to accommodate the new guidelines. Also, NSFs should establish a proper administrative structure and follow proper advertising procedures for staff appointments.
**Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports**
*Impact*
The Ministry is responsible for implementing the recommendations of the Task Force report and strengthening the sports administration in India.
*Action Required*
The Ministry should oversee and ensure the proper implementation of the revised guidelines for NSFs and monitor the progress of the reforms aimed at preparing India for the Games of 2036 and beyond.
**Sports Administrators**
*Impact*
There will be increased emphasis on the need for and the development of a professional cadre of sports administrators.
*Action Required*
Sports administrators must seek ways to improve their skills and remain abreast of all new regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
National Sports Governance Act, 2025: The act aims to establish a governance framework for sports in India.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports: The central ministry responsible for youth affairs and sports in India.
Task Force on Capacity Building of Sports Administrators: A body formed to assess and report on the capacity building needs of sports administrators.
National Sports Federations (NSFs): Organizations governing specific sports at the national level in India.
Government of India
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Department of Sports
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.366
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
Report on Gap in Indian Sports Governance
366. DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) whether a report has been submitted by a Task Force on Capacity
Building of Sports Administrators, formed in July, 2025 and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether the said report has highlighted systemic gaps in sports
governance in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is taking any measures to study and
implement the various recommendations given in the said Report;
and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]
(a) Yes. The report on Capacity Building of Sports Administration has
been submitted by The Task Force to the Ministry of Youth Affairs
and Sports. The report is available on the website of Ministry of Youth
Affairs & Sports and can be accessed at the link-
https://yas.nic.in/en/sports/capacity-building.
Page 1 of 2(b) & (c) The task force report has highlighted certain gaps in India’s
Sports Governance, which inter-alia include, lack of professional
cadre of sports administrators, fragmented training opportunities,
gaps in current sports education in developing administrative
capabilities, inadequate athlete pathways into governance and
inadequate use of digital tools.
(d) & (e) In order to strengthen the Sports Administration, the
Department of Sports has taken various steps, including but not
limited to the following:
i. The criteria for assistance under the scheme for assistance to
National Sports Federations (NSFs) in May 2025 has been
revised allowing NSFs to allocate up to 10 percent of their total
budget for administrative staff, providing them with the
professional staff and technical support needed for more
effective operations.
ii. The expenditure necessary for smooth administrative
operations, legal services and the appointment of specialized
young professionals or interns are permitted up to 2.5 percent
of the annual budget under the scheme.
iii. National Sports Federations (NSFs) are mandated to have a
proper administrative structure and ensure proper advertising
for staff appointments.
These reforms aim to establish a globally respected, athlete-centric
governance framework to prepare India for the Games of 2036 and
beyond. The government has initiated this preparation by enacting
the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
*****
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