Ajay Maken said his ministry had prepared a national sports development bill to be introduced in parliament that would limit the tenures of the country’s top sports officials and impose age restrictions.
The move could put India on collision course with international sports federations, including the International Olympic Committee which has already threatened to bar India from the Olympics over the proposal.
“We want to put the age limit on office-bearers at 70,” Maken told reporters at a packed press conference. “After that they must vacate their seats in favour of fresh and younger people.
“Also, any official can head a sports body for a maximum of two successive terms not exceeding eight years.”
The International Olympic Committee has threatened to bar India from the Olympics unless the spat over age limits is resolved.
It insists that Olympic bodies are independent and should not be subject to political meddling despite the large amounts of public money used to host major sporting events.
The Olympic body has the power to impose sanctions including suspending the country from its membership — a move that would prevent India from taking part in the 2012 London Olympics.