Goel promises sports code in monsoon session, NSFs must comply

TIL Desk Sports/ The much-delayed National Sports Development Code could finally see the light of the day in the upcoming Monsoon session and national federations should not expect anything from the government if they fail to comply, Indian Sports Minister Vijay Goel has warned.

Goel said the Ministry has also held discussions with various stakeholders on including Sport in the Concurrent list. The ministry will present the matter before the Cabinet for approval once it gets the feedback from all concerned. Speaking on a range of issues during an interaction with journalists, Goel said he personally does not see any harm in letting politicians run National Sports Federations (NSFs).

To review the Sports Code, the government has constituted a committee which is expected to give its final report soon, paving the way for its legislation in the July Monsoon session. “When the IOA made two charge-sheeted people Life Presidents, we immediately swung into action and suspended the IOA. We respect the autonomy of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), IOA and other Federations but we also want transparency and accountability,” Goel said.