India’s National Sports Governance Act, 2025—A Foundation, Not the Finish Line for Disability Inclusion

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At Divyaang Myithri, our journey coaching athletes with disabilities has taught us that good sports governance must reflect the needs of all athletes—not just the able-bodied. India’s newly enacted National Sports Governance Act, 2025 marks an essential legal shift—from guidelines to enforceable standards. But is it inclusive?

Here’s what stands out:

What Gives Us Hope:

• A statutory National Paralympic Committee, recognised on par with other national sports governing bodies.

• Safe Sports Policies and Codes of Ethics, which now carry legal weight and can—if properly implemented—guard against disability-related discrimination.

Why We Remain Concerned:

• No guaranteed seats for persons with disabilities in governance committees—while women and athlete reps are mandated, people with disabilities are not.

• No accessibility mandates for stadiums, training facilities, or programs—a structural blind spot.

• No independent disability inclusion watchdog, meaning enforcement of rights remains reactive rather than proactive.

Our Call to Action:

• Advocate for disability representation quotas in sports governance.

• Push for mandatory accessible infrastructure standards across all federations.

• Establish an independent inclusion oversight body to ensure accountability.

At Divyaang Myithri, we’ll continue amplifying the voices of athletes with disabilities. Because true sports reform means ensuring no one is left behind.