NEW DELHI, April 18: A comprehensive National Sports Development Code, which is aimed at ensuring sports federations follow certain basic norms, is expected to be brought before Parliament for its approval in the monsoon session, Sports Minister Vijay Goel said today.
Goel also warned that national sports federations should not expect anything from the government if they fail to comply with the provisions of the code.
A nine-member government panel was formed in January this year to make recommendations for evolving a comprehensive code across all sports disciplines. The panel is expected to give its final report on the much delayed code soon.
He also said that the Ministry has held discussions with various stakeholders on including Sports in the Concurrent list.
The ministry will present the matter before the Cabinet for approval once it gets a feedback from all concerned.
Speaking on a range of issues during an interaction with PTI journalists, Goel said he personally does not see any harm in letting politicians run National Sports Federations (NSFs).
�When the IOA made two charge-sheeted people Life Presidents, we immediately swung into action and suspended the IOA. We respect the autonomy of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), IOA and other Federations but we also want transparency and accountability,� Goel said.
�We want all Federations to follow the Sports Code and if they cannot, they should not expect anything from us. We work like Patrons. To fix their accountability, we have constituted a Sports Code review committee,� Goel said.
Asked specifically about when the Code is expected to become a law, Goel said,� We can easily present it in the upcoming Parliament session.� The monsoon session of Parliament starts in July.
�The Sports Code, if implemented in its present form, is more than enough. Ninety per cent Federations are following it and others will have to fall in line. We have resolved the disputes in the Associations of karate, boxing, tennis and now we have set sights on archery and basketball. These will also be resolved soon,� he said. � PTI
