New Delhi, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that ensuring fairness, transparency and athlete welfare must remain the top priority of all stakeholders in India’s sports ecosystem.
Dr. Mandaviya was addressing the National Sports Federation (NSF) Conclave 2026, which was attended by Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Khadse, senior officials of the Ministry, Sports Authority of India (SAI), and representatives of various National Sports Federations.
The conclave focused on strengthening sports governance, improving athlete welfare mechanisms and reviewing India’s preparations for upcoming global sporting events, including the Asian Games 2026, Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and Commonwealth Games 2030.
During the event, detailed discussions were held on the compliance status of National Sports Federations under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, adoption of good governance practices and improving administrative systems within sports bodies.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya stressed that no athlete should ever face unfair treatment.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that no athlete is ever subjected to injustice. Injustice can take many forms, and wherever such a situation arises, we must address it effectively,” he said.
Emphasising the need for transparency in athlete selection, the Sports Minister said that selection trials must be conducted through fair and accountable procedures.
“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 stated.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Indian sports, Dr. Mandaviya said the focus should remain on keeping athletes engaged in competitive sport and building a strong sporting culture in the country.
He urged National Sports Federations to create more opportunities for athletes throughout the year by strengthening domestic competitions and league structures.
The Union Minister also called for stronger measures to eliminate doping from Indian sports. He said that addressing doping requires action against the entire network involved, including manufacturers, suppliers, facilitators and users.
“We must collectively tackle the menace of doping. It is not enough to act only against athletes. The entire chain must be identified and dealt with through a transparent and robust mechanism,” he said.
Dr. Mandaviya further highlighted the importance of developing a strong Indian coaching ecosystem and reducing dependence on foreign coaches.
“We need to build a repository of quality Indian coaches. Along with training athletes, we must invest equally in training our coaches by providing them the best opportunities and international exposure,” he said.
He added that skilled coaches are essential for creating world-class athletes and improving India’s performance at international competitions.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to sports development, Dr. Mandaviya said the Ministry will continue working closely with National Sports Federations to improve governance standards, ensure compliance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and strengthen preparations for major international sporting events.
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