New Delhi: Desh Deepak Verma, Director General, Sports Authority of India met the Presidents/General Secretaries/members/ representatives of the OPEX beneficiaries in a meeting held in the Conference Hall at the SAI Headquarters at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on Thursday. This effort of continuous periodic meeting is being initiated to ensure improved communications amongst the sports promoting bodies and monitoring of training for competing athletes.
Besides the review of the decisions taken towards preparation/training of athletes for the London Olympics on June 1, the execution of the decisions in terms of training, international exposure, scientific backup, nutrition, foreign coaches and supporting staff were deliberated in great detail. The efforts of the Sports Authority of India in bringing in cohesiveness amongst the sports promoting individuals/bodies have resulted in consistent rise in performance of the Indian team in the international arena. The same is illustrated through the increased number of Olympic qualifications with expectations of more to follow.
The Director General, SAI shared his vision on legacy planning of the infrastructure available with SAI by creating training hubs of specific disciplines at the various centres of SAI. The concept of ‘Come and Play’ Scheme was also revealed to the members present. The proposal was well received and appreciated by the members present. DG, SAI also discussed the concept of customized training of elite athletes, which shall result in better performance. He also suggested that unnecessary international exposure, which interferes in peeking cycle of the elite athletes, could perhaps be diverted for the second string of athletes, which will create bench strength.
DG, SAI also informed the members present that any understanding with reference to broad-basing sports in the country in collaboration with Corporate or Public sector would be well received, for which the federations could play the inter-mediatory role benefiting sports promotion. He also implored the members present that any idea or concern related to sports promotion will be encouraged and welcomed by DG, SAI.
It was once again reiterated that the federations should carry our performance analysis of the athletes/teams, who have qualified for the London Olympics-2012 and adequate diligence should be directed towards more qualifications.
ED (TEAMS) assured the members present that the requirements of consumables projected by the federations and sanctioned by the Govt. has already been conveyed to the SAI Regional Centres for procurement. Most of the equipment has already been procured and are being utilized at the national coaching camps. Any other requirements in relation to the preparation of Indian team for London Olympics-2012 should be raised immediately. The federations were also advised to submit their report on national coaching camps and international exposure within a week from the date of completion of the event. The statement of expenditure for advances paid should also be submitted within a month from the completion of the event.
As a part of training support system, provisions of audio/visual feedback systems for all the sixteen sports disciplines are being created at various SAI Centres for achieving highest level of competitive intelligence. The federations were also advised to take adequate measures to collect visuals of likely competitors/teams for competitive analysis.
The members were also informed that the support system in terms of food supplements, advanced teaching and training gadgets, recovery measures are being created at all SAI centres on priority.
DG, SAI implored and advised the members to interact with SAI on a continued basis, be it the preparation of the national team or any concept related to sports promotion.
The Steering Committee meetings to iron out any issues related to preparation of London Olympics-2012 are being scheduled from the first week of November, 2011. The annual calendar for training and coaching for all categories (Senior, Junior & Sub Junior) for 2012 will be submitted by the federations by mid November, 2011. Post the approval of DG, SAI, the same will come in play from 1st January, 2012. As advised, the selection criteria for Indian athletes in preparation for London Olympics – 2012 has been uploaded on the website by most National Sports Federations. The remaining shall undertake the same at the earliest.
The federations appreciated the efforts and the enterprise of such regular periodic meetings initiated by DG, SAI, which shall bring in not only clarity and transparency but also insure improved relationships among sports promoting bodies.