A high-powered task force, chaired by Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, has delivered a scathing assessment of India's sports governance. The nine-member panel, which conducted a thorough review, has strongly criticized the country's National Sports Federations (NSFs) for lacking fundamental institutional structures and frequently failing in their duty towards athlete welfare.
Core Failings: Blurred Accountability and Neglected Athletes
The task force's major finding is the absence of a functional separation between governance and day-to-day operations within the NSFs. This flaw, the panel states, has resulted in unclear accountability, poor transparency, and a severe lack of professional management. In its detailed 170-page report submitted to the Union Sports Ministry, the group labeled the existing NSF model as overly focused on meeting statutory requirements and compliance checks.
This compliance-driven approach, the report argues, consistently pushes critical elements like long-term strategic planning, athlete well-being, and the broader promotion of sports to the background. The panel concluded that this system is fundamentally flawed for fostering high-performance sports culture in India.
Blueprint for Change: Aligning with Global Best Practices
The Bindra-led committee has issued a clear call for urgent reforms to bring Indian sports bodies in line with international standards. The report emphasizes that without clear role separation, professional leadership, independent oversight, and formal athlete representation, governance will remain stagnant.
Contrasting Indian NSFs with top global bodies, the report highlights how leading National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) employ sophisticated governance frameworks that deliberately keep governance and operational functions distinct. To bridge this gap, the task force has put forward several concrete recommendations.
Key Recommendations for a Modern Sports Ecosystem
The proposed roadmap for transformation includes shifting to a competency-based model for selecting leaders, supported by specialized training programs. The panel also advocates for the widespread adoption of digital tools to enhance transparency and operational efficiency. Furthermore, a stronger integration of sports science into the training and development ecosystem is deemed essential.
The central message is a move from a compliance-oriented mindset to a strategic, athlete-centered approach. The task force believes these reforms are not just beneficial but necessary for India to build a sustainable and successful sporting future.
