The case of S. Nithya v. The Secretary to the Union of India & Ors., decided by the High Court of Madras on 19 January 2022, marks a significant step towards promoting good governance in the realm of sports in India. The case highlights that sports governance issues have penetrated all levels of the system, and it advocates for transparency, meritbased athlete selection, and the involvement of experienced sports personnel in decisionmaking processes. The commentary highlights the judgment’s significance in terms of compliance with the National Sports Development Code, 2011, the need for statutory regulation of sports federations in Tamil Nadu, and athlete participation on sports boards. It critically analyses the board composition of federations and recommends the restriction of executive board membership to sportspersons. Although a High Court judgment, the decision has the potential to pave the way for increased accountability, representation, and legal regulation towards a more transparent and inclusive sport governance framework in India