In a landmark move to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, announced a major recruitment drive for Assistant Coaches in the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The initiative, approved by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, marks the first large-scale induction since 2017 and stands as the biggest recruitment exercise ever undertaken for this crucial cadre in Indian sports.
Announcing the decision, Dr. Mandaviya said that a comprehensive, transparent, and merit-based selection process will be implemented to identify the most qualified coaching talent. “This strategic recruitment will play a key role in advancing India’s sporting ambitions in the years ahead,” he stated.
The Union Minister further emphasized that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse. He added that the recruitment is a step toward building a stronger institutional framework through merit-based systems and capacity development at all levels of sport.
Under this historic drive, over 320 Assistant Coach positions will be filled across 25 sporting disciplines through direct recruitment. The Assistant Coach cadre serves as a critical link in India’s sports development framework, forming the foundation for identifying and nurturing sporting talent from the grassroots to the elite level. Strengthening this cadre will ensure structured, high-quality coaching support for athletes across the country.
The recruitment process will align with the Government’s Medal Strategy for the Olympic and Asian Games, prioritizing disciplines with strong medal potential such as aquatics, cycling, and others. Simultaneously, attention will also be given to sports that foster a broader sporting culture, including lawn tennis, kayaking, and canoeing, which have shown growing potential and importance.
Reinforcing the Government’s commitment to gender inclusivity, more than 50% of the posts are reserved for women coaches. This move aims to address the current shortage of women in coaching roles while promoting a SafeSport environment that ensures comfort, confidence, and empowerment for female athletes.
This recruitment drive represents a major step toward building an inclusive, performance-driven, and future-ready coaching ecosystem, in line with India’s long-term vision of emerging as a global leader in sports.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
