New Delhi, July 25 -- The Centre can impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of India teams and athletes in international events under extraordinary circumstances, according to the new National Sports Governance Bill introduced in Parliament which seems to take into account India's strained relationship with Pakistan that has resulted in multiple sporting boycotts over the years. Under the power to issue directions and impose restrictions in national interest, the bill says the "Central Govt may, by an order, impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport in international sports competitions or participation of any individual in the activities of the national sports, under extraordinary circumstances and in the interest of national security, public order and safety." "This clause is for specific cases, depending on the situation on the ground. The situation will be reviewed and decisions will be taken to ensure safety of our athletes, which is paramount," said a sports ministry official. It is mostly in relation to travel to Pakistan that such complications arise. India's bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan came to a standstill after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. In March 2025, the Indian cricket team did not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy. India played all their matches in Dubai. But with India aiming to bid for the 2036 Olympics, such legislation also poses a quandary regarding the International Olympic charter. The charter is clear about participation in sporting events and prohibits any exclusion based on "racial, religious or political reasons or by reason of other forms of discrimination." The freeze in diplomatic ties after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 raised questions over whether New Delhi would allow Pakistan to send a team to India for the Asia Cup hockey tournament scheduled to be held in August-September. India has said Pakistan hockey team will be allowed to compete in India. The sports ministry said the bill is in compliance with the Olympic charter and the statutes of international federations. "We have held discussions with the International Olympic Committee and international federations," said a sports ministry official. The NSB will also grant recognition to state and district affiliates of the federations. But with sports being a state subject, it has to be seen how it is implemented. On a day when the bill was introduced in Parliament by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, there were some opposition to the issue. Congress MP Manish Tewari called the bill "unconstitutional". "It is beyond the legislative competence of the government. Entry 33 of the State List grants powers to the states to legislate regarding sports. The Government of India has absolutely no power to legislate with regard to sporting federations... The bill in its present form is not going to stand the test of law," Tewari said. Most National Sports Federations, however, welcomed the move. It gives them relaxation in age (from 70 to 75) and tenure guidelines and allows them a longer reign in international sports bodies as per the laws of international federations. "A clarity was needed on the sports law because currently we were being governed by the regulations of Sports Code and various judgements of courts which percolated down to the district level and some of them were difficult to implement," said National Rifle Association of India president Kalikesh Singh Deo. "There were a lot of litigation and complications because of the long governance struggle between the government and sports federations. This bill therefore is a welcome move." "The government gives grants to NSFs and they feel they have to monitor the funding. It is quite credible," he said. Sports lawyer Rahul Mehra termed the bill as "regressive and draconian." He said the bill will undo the reformative work and negate the law laid down by High Courts and the Supreme Court in multiple orders. He was critical of the bill diluting the age cap and tenure restriction, taking away the minimum 25% of sports persons of outstanding merit in general body and executive committee, and bringing back the restrictive clause in elections that was removed by the Delhi HC in August 2022, among other issues....