SAI will decide on training of athletes

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 3

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has taken over the role of organising all national camps or training programmes of India’s Olympics hopefuls.

As of now, 57 National Sports Federations (NSFs) stand derecognised, with the matter pending before the Delhi High Court. All routine work like planning of annual calendar for training and competition, which includes holding of national camps, was put on hold.

But SAI has stepped into the role and will be the sole agency to decide on camps till the time the federations stay derecognised.

The Sports Ministry and SAI officials held a meeting in this regard on Monday, where it was decided that training and other needs of the Olympics-bound athletes — both who have qualified and those who have chances to qualify — shouldn’t get affected. Sports secretary Ravi Mittal and SAI director general Sandip Pradhan took part in the meeting.

“We will not let the training and other needs of our Olympics athletes suffer. They will get all the support through SAI,” said a source privy to the development.

SAI has cleared a boxing camp, with a few boxers reaching Patiala. Interestingly, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) wasn’t in the loop and all the boxers were contacted by Target Olympics Podium Scheme officials.

“We were not told anything about this. SAI officials got in touch with the boxers and those who agreed to join the camp were asked to assemble,” a BFI official said on condition of anonymity.

BFI had sent a proposal to start the national camp last month, which bore no fruit after the Punjab government refused to grant permission.

Similarly, the national camp for cyclists will soon start in Manipur. “The Manipur government has given us the permission. And we will start training for Manipur-based riders soon,” an official said.

Won’t allow provisional recognition: Delhi High Court

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court today said the practice of granting provisional recognition to NSFs without ascertaining whether they are following the sports code cannot be allowed to go on. PTI