SAI to join hands with varsities for sports development

In a bid to improve standards of training so as to achieve excellence, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) will collaborate with some identified universities across the country.

The decision was taken at a meeting of heads of SAI Regional Centres, academic institutions, SAI Training Centres (STCs) and Special Area Games (SAG) centres here on Monday.

In the meeting, various methods were discussed to improve the effectiveness of sports promotion schemes of SAI and providing the best possible facilities to its trainees.

It was decided to closely monitor the performance of SAI coaches, take steps to constantly upgrade their skills and to incentivise them.

Every SAI centre has been asked to select sports disciplines for focused attention, keeping in view factors like infrastructure and local traditions.

The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel.

Secretary (Sports) Rajiv Yadav, SAI Director General Injeti Srinivas and senior officers of the sports ministry and SAI attended the meeting.

Goel emphasised the need for SAI centres to closely work with the state governments and involve local representatives of people so that concerted and coordinated efforts can be made for achieving sports excellence.

He also stressed the need for seeking contribution of the corporate sector to upgrade facilities at the SAI centres.

Goel called for initiating steps to utilise every nook and corner of SAI complexes, and suggested that SAI facilities should be opened to public without disturbing their normal activities of training.

--IANS

gau/sam/vt