Chandigarh: Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired a high-level meeting today with senior officials from the Government of Punjab, Union Territory of Chandigarh, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre Chandigarh to strategize the development of sports infrastructure in northern India.
During the meeting, Dr. Mandaviya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s sports ecosystem, highlighting initiatives like Khelo India, FIT India, and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which have significantly contributed to India’s rise in international sports. He emphasized that sports are not just about medals but also about discipline, perseverance, and national pride, shaping young athletes into champions both on and off the field.
Following the meeting, Dr. Mandaviya felicitated 30 outstanding athletes across disciplines including kabaddi, handball, judo, boxing, kayaking, and canoeing, who have excelled in national and international tournaments, including the 38th National Games. These athletes are part of the rigorous training programs conducted at six SAI Training Centres (STCs), two National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), and two Extension Centres under SAI RC Chandigarh.
Encouraging the athletes, the Minister expressed confidence in their ability to elevate India’s status as a global sporting powerhouse. He envisioned an India where, by 2047, the nation’s centenary of independence, Indian athletes will dominate world sporting events, bringing laurels to the Tricolour.
Dr. Mandaviya also visited the SAI Regional Centre (RC) in Chandigarh to assess existing sports infrastructure and review facilities available for young sportspersons in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh, and Ladakh.
Currently, 152 Khelo India Centres (KICs), six Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), and 42 Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAAs) operate under the SAI RC Chandigarh, collectively training over 2,400 aspiring athletes, both male and female.
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