Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 20: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has called for an accelerated and comprehensive talent identification programme to build India's athlete pool for the 2036 Olympics.
The minister's call came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide sports talent hunt from the ramparts of the Red Fort, underlining the need to begin preparations for India's long-term sporting ambitions at the grassroots level.
Chairing the 63rd Governing Body Meeting of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Mandaviya said the groundwork for India's sporting goals over the next decade must begin immediately. He stressed that talent identification should cover the entire sporting pyramid, including schools, districts and colleges.
The minister said the objective should be to create a comprehensive repository of sporting talent that can serve as a pipeline for sports schools and higher-level training programmes.
He also called for developing a stronger public-private partnership model to expand India's sports training ecosystem. Athletes identified through State- and district-level talent hunts should be channelled to suitable academies where they can receive specialised training, he said.
Mandaviya also highlighted the role of the corporate sector in strengthening sports development through increased participation under corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
He said greater corporate involvement would help expand training capacity beyond government-run facilities and create a wider network of academies capable of supporting athletes identified through grassroots talent programmes.
During the meeting, the SAI Governing Body approved the establishment of the National Coach Accreditation Board, which will provide a more structured framework for accreditation and professional development of coaches.
The Governing Body also approved a proposed amendment to the recruitment rules for appointment to the post of Assistant Coach, Pay Level-6, on a deputation basis in SAI.
The decisions come as India seeks to strengthen its sporting ecosystem and develop a larger pool of high-performance athletes ahead of its long-term ambition of hosting and competing strongly at the 2036 Olympic Games.