Bindra-led Task Force highlights deficits in Indian sports administration

The panel noted lack of a professional cadre of sports administrators, and outdated training opportunities for them with "limited focus on competencies or continuous professional development

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An Abhinav Bindra-led Task Force set up by the Sports Ministry has pointed out "systemic deficits” in India’s sports administration, including "inadequate and ill-equipped" athletes for governance roles, and recommended the setting up of an autonomous statutory body to train a specialised cadre that would also feature LAS officers.

The 170-page report of the Task Force has been submitted to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who Tuesday said “all its recommendations will be implemented”.

To address the current "gaps" that ail the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the state departments, the committee has recommended that a National Council for Sports Education and Capacity Building (NCSECB) be set up under the Ministry "to regulate, accredit, and certify sports administration training.” The nine-member Task Force was set up in August this year and featured, among others Adille Sumariwala and former Target Olympic Podium Scheme's CEO Cdr. Rajesh Rajagopalan.