Arbitration As A Pillar Of Dispute Resolution In Sports Law: Balancing Fair Play And Legal Integrity

Sports disputes, including contractual and doping cases, have risen due to the competitive nature of sports. Traditional court processes were lengthy and often unfavorable for athletes. Established in 1984, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has become the leading institution for resolving sports disputes swiftly and fairly, aligning with international regulations. India lacks a specialized sports arbitration body despite growing international participation. Existing frameworks, like the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 and the National Sports Development Code 2011, are inadequate. National sports federations, including BCCI and IOA, face criticism for a lack of transparency. India urgently needs a National Arbitration System (NAS) similar to CAS to ensure fair, transparent, and efficient dispute resolution, safeguard sports integrity, and protect athletes' rights.