SPORTS LEGISLATION

Govt trying to kill sports in the country: Maken

maken-sting-aap Maken says it's not greater autonomy but greater accountability which is needed from sports bodies

Describing the move to bring in a sports legislation, which would grant greater autonomy to sports bodies, as an effort to nullify the Justice Lodha Committee reforms, former Union sports minister Ajay Maken criticised the Centre for not consulting with the sports ministry before informing the Supreme Court. 

Speaking to THE WEEK, Maken lauded the Lodha Committee reforms and said, "Justice R.M. Lodha Committee recommendations are much more stronger than the original proposed National Sports Development Bill. The government should have at least kept the sports ministry in the loop—it is a huge set up, it is unfortunate."

Maken was the architect of the doomed original National Sports Development Bill, which was scuppered by his senior colleagues in a cabinet meeting chaired by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh. 

Maken was reacting to the news of government's decision to bring a sports legislation as announced by Attorney General of India Mukul Rohtagi in the apex court. He mentioned that it would do so via a legislation or an executive order. "This government's aim is to kill sports in the country ," he said when asked about the move to counter Lodha reforms. It may be noted that former athletes who have represented India at international events have also pleaded with the court to implement Lodha reforms in non-cricket sports. The top court has issued a notice to the Centre to respond on the same. 

An executive order, if used to bring more autonomy for sports bodies as mooted by the AG on Tuesday in court, would mean modification of the existing National Sports Code which is followed by all National Sports Federations under the Indian Olympic Association umbrella. The BCCI does not follow the sports code, and being clubbed with Olympic Sports is anathema to it. "A sports law or an executive order cannot be contrary to the SC judgment," said Maken. An ordinance or legislation cannot be brought forth for BCCI alone; it has to be applicable to all sports bodies. 

Maken pointed out how the sports ministry acted quickly when IOA had nominated tainted officials as its life presidents recently. "On one hand, sports ministry was not happy that Suresh Kalmadi and Chautala were brought back into IOA. On the other, we are talking of greater autonomy to sports bodies. With this, we will continue having officials like Kalmadi, Chautala and Anurag Thakur running sports bodies for years without regulation or any accountability."

Maken pointed out that the bill was brought forth when his tenure was about to end. "NSDB was for greater accountability. Any new bill, which grants greater autonomy, will change the tone and tenor of the original sports bill."

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Topics : #sports | #Lodha panel

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