Over 550 SAI coaching posts vacant, Mandaviya tells Rajya Sabha

Over 500 vacant coaching positions in the Sports Authority of India (SAI), increased dope tests at the grassroots level and funds provided to football's beleaguered national body were among the diverse issues that Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed in his responses to various Rajya Sabha queries here on Thursday.

Despite the launch of a mega recruitment drive by SAI in January to hire more than 350 assistant coaches, 464 positions remain vacant, a number which is over 100 more than last year.

In all, 554 positions are waiting to be filled, including 90 slots for head coaches at its facilities across the country.

"The qualifications and competencies of coaches are assessed in accordance with the prescribed recruitment and engagement norms," Mandaviya stated.

The minister also revealed that in the last five years, Rs 8.5 crore has been allocated for training and upskilling programmes for coaches to "enhance their professional capabilities."

Measures to counter doping

Mandaviya cited the NADA's dedicated intelligence and investigation mechanisms to collect, and assess information relating to potential Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), including trafficking, administration, possession and distribution of prohibited substances and methods.

The minister said that the number of sample collection sessions at grassroots-level events, including school, university, state, and zonal-level events has also gone up.

"A total of 20 sample collection sessions were conducted in 2025, and 55 sample collection sessions have been conducted in 2026 up to July 2026," he noted.

In addition, the Sample Collection Personnel (SCP) workforce has also been strengthened through "regular recruitment, training, and re-accreditation programmes."

"A total of 11 training programmes were conducted in 2025, and four training programmes have been conducted in 2026 up to July 2026, to ensure the availability of qualified sample collection personnel across different regions of the country," he said.

The government is also pushing for criminalisation of doping by proposing jail term and fines for entities indulging in trafficking and supply of prohibited substances in fresh amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Bridge Desk. It is published from a syndicated feed.)