FILE PHOTO: Narang (in picture) and Kunjarani are the requisite National Sports Awards winners in the committee, having been past recipients of the Khel Ratna. | Photo Credit: PTI

Olympic bronze-winning former shooter Gagan Narang and weightlifting great N. Kunjarani Devi were on Monday named in the central government’s five-member search-cum-selection committee to constitute the much-anticipated National Sports Board (NSB).

Cabinet secretary T. V. Somanathan will head the panel which will also feature sports secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, and Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Executive Council member Lt. General (Retd) Harpal Singh.

Narang and Kunjarani are the requisite National Sports Awards winners in the committee, having been past recipients of the Khel Ratna, which is the country’s highest sporting honour.

“The aforementioned committee is tasked to recommend a panel of names for the positions of chairperson and two members of the board, from among persons of ability, integrity and standing, having knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields,” the sports ministry stated.

The National Sports Board will act as the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial and ethical standards as mandated by the National Sports Governance Act that came into effect at the beginning of the year.

The Sports Ministry is hoping to ensure that the body begins operations in the next three months.

Both Narang and Kunjarani are legends in their own right with several national and international accolades to their credit.

The 43-year-old Narang, who won the 10m air rifle bronze in the 2012 Olympics, is currently a vice president in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). He is also the owner of eight Commonwealth Games gold medals, spread across two editions, in different rifle events.

The 60-year-old Kunjarani collected seven World Championship silver medals at the peak of her prowess besides winning back-to-back gold medals in the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games. She retired from the Central Reserve Police Force as a Commandant after the end of her competitive career.

Last month, the sports ministry notified the rules of operation for both the NSB and the National Sports Tribunal (NST).

In addition to granting affiliation, the National Sports Board will also maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel and a register of affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies The Board has also been empowered to specify model guidelines or regulations on sports governance. An age cap of 65 has been set for its members.

The National Sports Governance Act that was passed in the Parliament last year in August after several rounds of deliberations with stakeholders by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

Mandaviya has described it as a game-changer for Indian sports as it puts in place stringent rules and regulations by mandating representation of athletes and women in the Executive Committees of National Sports Federations besides imposing age and tenure caps.

Published on Jun 15, 2026