About Sports Authority of India (SAI) :
- It is the apex national sports body of India, established by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
- It was set up in 1984 to carry forward the legacy of the IX Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982 under the Department of Sports.
- It is a registered society fully funded by the Government of India.
- It has been entrusted with the twin objectives of promoting sports and achieving sporting excellence at the national and international level.
- It’s primary efforts include widespread talent scouting and training of selected individuals by providing vital inputs like coaching, infrastructure, equipment support, sports kits, competitive exposure, etc.
- It has played a significant role in shaping India’s sports development by providing training to elite athletes and at the same time operating a number of schemes for the identification and development of young talent.
- The schemes are being implemented through various regional centres and training centres of SAI spread throughout the country.
- SAI implements the following Sports Promotional Schemes across the country to identify talented sportspersons in various age groups and nurture them to excel at the national and international levels:
- National Centres of Excellence (NCOE)
- SAI Training Centre (STC)
- Extension Centre of STC
- National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
- In addition to that, a number of academic programmes in physical education and sports are also offered by SAI.
- SAI is also entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining and utilizing, on behalf of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the following stadiums in Delhi, which were constructed/renovated for the IXth Asian Games.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Stadium
- Indira Gandhi Sports Complex
- Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
- Syama Prasad Mookherjee Swimming Pool Complex
- Karni Singh Shooting Ranges.
