Govt has no intentions of interfering, says 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.

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.