Sports Law Through India’s Constitutional Lens

Smridhi Sharma and Khushboo Bansal, B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), National Law University, Nagpur

ABSTRACT

This research paper explores how sports laws in India fit with the principles laid down in the Indian Constitution. The Indian Constitution is like a big rulebook that dictates how the country should run. This study helps us understand whether sports laws respect constitutional principles to ensure fairness and equality in sports. India, even after more than 75 years of republic does not have a uniform laws administering sports in the country leading to serious issues of protecting basic rights of athletes and controlling independent sports bodies. The researcher has interpreted definition of state, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, etc to understand and evaluate how they align with the sports laws.

The paper aims to examine how autonomous bodies currently holding the rein of sports governance can be brought under the purview of Indian constitution. It also attempts to bring into light the emerging issues like doping, gender discrimination, athlete eligibility, etc and how they can be resolved through comprehensive legislative framework on the lines of Indian constitution. It puts forth a series of suggestions for better administration of sports laws and the allied segments all over the nation.

Keywords: Autonomous bodies, fairness, Indian constitution, rulebook, sports laws.