Devesh Chaturvedi appointed chairman of National Sports Board

Retired IAS officer Devesh Chaturvedi has been appointed chairman of the much-awaited National Sports Board, which will have overriding powers to grant or suspend recognition of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and even "collaborate" with international bodies on issues of sports governance.The 60-year-old Chaturvedi is from the 1989 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre and served as Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, from August 2024 to February this year.He holds a B.Tech. in Mechcal Engineering from IIT Kanpur, an M.Tech. in Industrial Engineering from IIT Delhi, besides a PG Diploma in Public Policy from IIM Bangalore.Former Target Olympic Podium CEO, Commodore (Retd) P K Garg, has been named as the other member of the Board, as per a government order in 's possession. A third member could also be appointed to the Board at a later stage."For now, it would be two members and they would start operations as soon as they take charge," a Sports Ministry source said.The finalisation of their names was done -cum-selection committee, headed . Their appointment came about after multiple extensions to the deadline for submission of applications, taking up a considerable period of time.The appointments were finally approved 's appointments committee and the duo would remain in office for three years. The age cap for the positions has been kept at 65 years in the National Sports Governance Act that was passed last year.The NSB has been empowered to de-recognise a national body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or commits "gross irregularities in the election procedures."In addition, failure to publish annual audited accounts or "misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" would also invite suspension from the NSB but it would be required to consult the concerned global body before proceeding.Only a sports orgsation recognised .At the end of every financial year, the Board will prepare its annual statements of accounts, balance sheet, income and expenditure which would be audited .The formation of the NSB has been criticised , which is the nodal body for NSFs right now. IOA President P T Usha has stated that the NSB undermines IOA's stature.The Sports Ministry had earlier unveiled the National Sports Election Panel in September this year. The 20-member panel features two former Chief Election Commissioners of India -- Achal Kumar Jyoti and Sunil Arora.Only the National Sports Tribunal is now left to constituted among the three bodies recommended .The tribunal, which would have would have all the powers of a civil court, will comprise a chairperson and two other members.The head of the Tribunal would be a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited . It is published from a syndicated feed.)