NSFs have to be transparent for benefit of sport: Sonowal

The Sports Ministry today stated in clear terms that it expects complete transparency from all the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and also sought their support for corruption and controversy-free sport.
In his first interaction with journalists after taking charge, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said he was committed to take Indian sport forward but he needs support from all quarters, including media, to do that.
The ministry had recently asked IOA and all NSFs to put information about expenses incurred on their delegates on the Glasgow Games trip.
It also asked NSFs and IOA to upload information about international events that their athletes are competing, lists of core probables and the basis of their selection, details of coaching camps organised, the venues, dates and list of athletes selected for the camps and the selection criteria well in advance.

"We need support of all NSFs, so we are appealing to everybody. Day to day activities have to be more transparent for good governance and to generate confidence in people. We have indicated and the message is clear, tussle is not healthy, we have to behave like one family. Sports should be corruption and controversy free," Sonowal said during the interaction.
"The Federations have to be committed. We can't go alone. Development is not possible in isolation. We are keen to get support from all quarters," Sonowal, who hails from Assam, said and even asked journalists to give suggestion on how they can make things better.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General Jiji Thomson, who was also involved in the interaction said he was expecting tough days ahead as the August 20 deadline for NSFs to furnish details approaches.
"We are expecting resistance but they have to be made transparent," Thomson said.