Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday called for greater transparency in athlete selection, stronger governance in sports bodies and an athlete-centric approach to sports administration, saying no injustice should ever be meted out to any sportsperson.
Chairing the National Sports Federation (NSF) Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, the minister said the welfare and interests of athletes must remain the highest priority for all stakeholders in India’s sporting ecosystem.
The conclave was attended by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, senior officials of the Ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and representatives of National Sports Federations (NSFs).
The meeting reviewed the compliance status of NSFs under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, governance practices in sports bodies and India’s preparations for the Asian Games 2026, the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and the Commonwealth Games 2030.
Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya stressed that athlete selection must be fair, transparent and accountable.
“Open selection trials should be recorded on camera in the presence of observers. There should be absolutely no compromise on transparency in the selection process,” he said.
The minister asserted that athletes should never face injustice in any form and urged sports federations to adopt governance practices that protect their rights and ensure equal opportunities.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Indian sports, Mandaviya said the focus should remain on creating more competitive opportunities for athletes throughout the year.
“The Prime Minister has consistently emphasised the need to keep athletes on the playing field and develop a strong league culture in the country. Every National Sports Federation must work towards creating greater competitive opportunities for athletes throughout the year,” he said.
Mandaviya also called for a stronger anti-doping framework, saying the fight against doping should extend beyond athletes to include manufacturers, suppliers and facilitators of banned substances.
“We must collectively tackle the menace of doping. It is not enough to act only against athletes. The entire chain – from manufacturers and suppliers to facilitators and users – must be identified and dealt with through a transparent and robust mechanism,” he said.
The minister further stressed the need to develop a strong indigenous coaching ecosystem to reduce dependence on foreign coaches. He said India should invest in training and providing international exposure to domestic coaches, who would play a crucial role in producing world-class athletes.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening sports governance, Mandaviya said the Centre would continue working closely with National Sports Federations to improve compliance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, while enhancing India’s preparations for major international events, including the Asian Games 2026, the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and the Commonwealth Games 2030.
