The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to come under the ambit of the upcoming National Sports Bill, a top source in the Sports Ministry confirmed to India Today on Tuesday, July 22. The proposed legislation, which is in its final draft stages, also suggests raising the upper age limit for sports administrators from 70 to 75 years.
This development comes just days after BCCI President Roger Binny turned 70 on Saturday, July 19, which under current rules would have required him to step down. However, with the Sports Bill expected to take effect soon, he and other senior administrators might now be allowed to continue.
As per a copy of the draft bill obtained by PTI, the age criteria for office bearers could now accommodate individuals up to the age of 75 — if permitted under relevant international guidelines.
The draft states:
“A person shall not be qualified to contest election or seek nomination to the executive committee unless that person complies with International Charters and Statutes and Bye-Laws relating to age and term of the executive committee:
Provided that the person shall not be more than 70 years of age on the last date of the nomination for election;
Provided further that any person aged between 70 and 75 years may contest elections or seek nominations if permitted by the international charters and statutes and the bye-laws, and in such case, the person elected shall serve full term.”
The implication is that someone just under 70 at the time of nomination may now complete their entire term, and individuals between 70 and 75 could also serve if international rules allow.
The bill, once passed, is expected to categorise BCCI as a National Sports Federation (NSF) — bringing it in line with other sports bodies under government oversight.
