NSFs given fresh instructions on hosting events

The sports ministry on Friday directed all the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to chart up a calendar of their events giving a considerable time for the effective hosting of the events.

The directive comes in the wake of the ministry's suspension of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for gross negligence and poor management of the 15th National Para Athletics Championships in Ghaziabad last month.

"It is incumbent upon the NSFs to conduct the championships in India by drawing the calendar of events well in advance, so that such championships can be conducted smoothly and efficiently," a ministry release said.

Currently the NSFs are bound to conduct national championships every year for senior, junior and sub-junior categories. The ministry said it has acted on complaints to issue guidelines on the conduct of the tournaments hosted by the NSFs.

"From time to time, the ministry of youth affairs and sports has been receiving complaints from various quarters that the basic minimum facilities are not provided to sportspersons during the various championships/tournaments conducted by NSFs."

The guidelines state that the tournament-hosting stadia should be easily accessible to the athletes. Special care should be taken for differently-abled athletes and the facilities provided should be friendly for their usage.