SAI decides to appoint CEOs to professionalise NSF working

The Sports Authority of India has decided to appoint qualified CEOs to professionalise the management of the National Sports Federations (NSFs).
The decision was taken at the 42nd governing body meeting of the SAI chaired by Sports Minister Jitendra Singh here yesterday.
The remuneration of the CEOs will be borne by the SAI. It was also decided during the meeting that the government would not interfere in the recruitment of the chosen professionals.
The sports ministry had in October sent out letters to the top NSFs seeking their views on the appointment of CEOs to run their affairs more professionally.

The letters went out to 13 federations - archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, football, canoeing/kayaking, gymnastics, hockey, rowing, shooting, swimming, wrestling and wushu - and School Games Federation of India. Only badminton, canoeing/kayaking, wrestling and SGFI got back.
The NSFs turned down the ministry's proposal on the pretext that they already run the federations professionally and don't feel the need to appoint a CEO.
Currently, only hockey and basketball have CEOs as administrative heads. Elena Norman, an Australian with her wealth of experience in sports management, is working as Hockey India's CEO.
There are 54 NSFs in the country and the CEOs are expected to run the federation like a professional body.