CHENNAI: In another significant move to improve sports governance, the sports ministry notified the rules of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, especially for the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs). The rules also specified that persons convicted in any Indian court will not be eligible to contest elections. The rules notified on January 12 also lay down a 10 tier system for categorizing and selecting SOMs in various national bodies. According to the new rule, only sportspersons who have accomplishment in the Olympics shall be considered for a post in the IOA. Tier 1 is for those who won medals at the Olympics, while Tier two is participation in at least two Olympics and the third is for those who played in one Olympics.

Source: Indian Express January 12, 2026 18:59 UTC