Mandaviya calls for on-camera trials and strong coaching ecosystem

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday stressed on the need for on-camera selection trials before major international events such as the upcoming Asian Games and reduced dependence on foreign coaches as he took stock of the National Sports Federations' operations at a conclave in New Delhi.

The conclave was also attended by Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, and senior officials of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Call for transparency

"Open selection trials should be recorded on camera in the presence of observers. There should be absolutely no compromise on transparency in the selection process," Mandaviya stated.

He said India urgently needs a strong indigenous coaching ecosystem to counter the reliance on foreign coaches, who have got high-profile positions in sports such as shooting, and boxing.

"We need to build a repository of quality Indian coaches. Along with training athletes, we must invest equally in training our coaches by providing them the best opportunities and international exposure. A well-trained coach will ultimately create world-class athletes for the country," Mandaviya said.

The conclave focused on discussing issues related to sports governance, enhancing athlete welfare, and reviewing India's preparedness for the upcoming major international sporting events.

Detailed presentations on the NSFs compliance status with the National Sports Federations under the National Sports Governance Act, and preparations for the Asian Games in September-October, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad were also made.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that no athlete is ever subjected to injustice. Injustice can take many forms, and wherever such a situation arises, the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 empowers us to take preventive and corrective measures," Mandaviya said in his address.

"The Prime Minister has consistently emphasised the need to keep athletes on the playing field and develop a strong league culture in the country. Every National Sports Federation must work towards creating greater competitive opportunities for athletes throughout the year," he added.

Doping concerns

The Minister reiterated the need for a comprehensive strategy to eliminate doping from Indian sports. Stressing that the existing framework requires strengthening, he said the Government is working on amendments to make the anti-doping ecosystem more effective.

"We must collectively tackle the menace of doping. It is not enough to act only against athletes. The entire chain -- from manufacturers and suppliers to facilitators and users -- must be identified and dealt with through a transparent and robust mechanism. Only then can we effectively eradicate doping from sports," he said.

NSF issues

Among the issues raised by NSFs was the delay in the notification for the National Sports Election Panel (NSEP), which would be responsible for overseeing the election process of sports bodies. The Minister said the NSEP would be notified very soon.

A source present at the conclave told PTI that Hockey India President Dileep Tirkey urged the Minister to take some measures that would ensure that sports other than cricket get good broadcast coverage.

Mandaviya urged him to discuss this with the international parent bodies.

(Except for the headline and the short description, this story has not been edited by The Bridge staff and is published from a syndicated feed)