Govt has no intentions of interfering: Maken

Government has no intentions of interfering in the functioning and autonomy of sports bodies, according to Sports Minister Ajay Maken who wants the IOA and the NSFs to indicate the specific provisions in the draft bill that tantamount to interference in their functioning.

In response to queries by mediaperson regarding the opposition of the IOA other NSF representatives to the proposed Draft Sports Development Bill on the grounds of the bill being "interfering" and "agonistic to Autonomy", Maken said that he would await feedback from the designated Committee.

The Committee is chaired by Justice Mukul Mudgal and also comprises Prakash Padukone and Ashwini Nachhappa apart from other ministry officials.

Maken, however, wondered as to how a legislation that aimed at bringing about transparency in election procedures through secret ballot and pre-determined declared electoral colleges- that would mandatorily have at least 25 per cent of sportsperson as voters , could in any way result in interference.

"I can not comprehended as to how, the NSFs being brought under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act as Public Authorities and ensuring their accountability to people of the country and sports lovers, would amount to interference in their functioning", he said.

"Seeking to prohibit nepotism by putting age and tenure norms, which are in total conformity to best practices followed and recommended by the top International Sports Federation, IOC would only add to the NSFs acceptance and credibility, rather than undermine their autonomy", he said.

Maken wondered why a bill that seeks to address differences and grievances of NSFs and sports person by setting up an Ombudsman (LokPal) and tackle issues of sexual harassment, age fraud and doping, be considered as agonistic to any person, leave apart sporting federation.

He underlined that these federations who represent the nation at various international fora were in a way, repository of the faith and prestige of the people of India and it was only logical and in national interest that they confirmed to transparent and universally accepted best practices of sports governance.

The Sports Minister said that the NSFs/IOA should suggest in Black and White as to which were the specific provisions in the draft bill that tantamount to interference in their functioning and autonomy.

"The government had no intention of interfering with the functioning and autonomy of the NSFs. It only wanted transparency in their conduct and their accountability to the sports lovers and people of the country", Maken added.

Jaitley pointed out that there were a number of provisions in the Bill that were in conflict with the laws followed by the BCCI.

"The draft say that a non-Olympic sport should hold fair and transparent elections every four year but in BCCI, we hold elections every three years. So the age and tenure issue must not be applied to us. We already have our rules in place and that should not be tampered with," said Jaitley.

"The administration of the BCCI is divided into five zones and each have its own vice-president. But the bill proposes to have not more than two vice-presidents. But when this arrangement works perfectly for us then why should we have two? How can government interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the body?" he asked.

Stating that government's concerns are legitimate and valid, Jaitley said that the BCCI had no problem with the principle of good governance but it should be done in a proper manner.

"Good things should be done in a right manner. If we give everything in the hands of government, it may result in something like 'remedy worse than the disease'," said the Delhi and District Cricket Association president.

He also objected to the provision in the draft Bill that any office bearer of an NSF, who has completed one term, should secure at least two-third majority to be elected for the second term.

The other NSFs agreed to the points raised by Jaitley and said that the Bill if passed would result to the government taking control of the sports bodies.

R K Anand said that the IOA was in agreement of the bill only in those points relating to transparency and good governance but not in those concerning autonomy of the sports federations.

"Government has no clear idea on autonomy. Bill should be discussed in the Parliament. IOA is in favour of the bill only in terms of transparency and good governance," said Anand.

The Bill proposes an age limit of 70 for all office bearers, not more than 12 consecutive years for NSF heads and eight years for other office bearers, 25 per cent reservation for sportspersons in various sports bodies, transparency, secret balloting in elections, strict provisions against sexual harassment and doping.