India's Sports Ambitions Undermined by Critical Underfunding
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) faces critical underfunding and staffing shortages. A parliamentary committee highlights these issues as obstacles to India's international sports success. Efforts to improve the situation include addressing fund utilization in the Khelo India Scheme and directing more resources to sports with medal-winning potential.
- Country:
- India
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Sports has expressed significant concerns over the underfunding and understaffing of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), deeming it a 'critical' issue. The committee, chaired by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, identified these challenges as factors contributing to India's lackluster international sports performance.
The committee urged the Sports Ministry to increase financial allocations and focus on sports where India shows strong potential to secure medals. Notable members, including former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, highlighted the detrimental impact of staffing shortages on athlete coaching and development, emphasizing the need for more permanent hires rather than temporary solutions.
Further, the panel raised concerns about fund diversion from the Khelo India Scheme to SAI's National Centres of Excellence, leading to financial lapses in crucial areas. The committee recommended better integration of the Khelo India Scheme into SAI's framework to optimize its effectiveness and ensure sustainable sports development in the country.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Google News