Posted On:
17 SEP 2026 9:19PM by PIB Kolkata
Kolkata, September 17, 2026
Union minister of state for sports and youth affairs Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence, Kolkata, today and reviewed sports infrastructure, athlete development facilities and support systems.
The visit began with a floral tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose following which the minister visited the hockey field and interacted with trainees and coaches. She sought feedback on their training, facilities and competitive requirements. She also visited indoor facilities for gymnastics and table tennis, and interacted with athletes and coaches.
Smt. Khadse subsequently visited the sports science department, where she interacted with staff and reviewed the role of scientific support in athlete development, conditioning, recovery and performance enhancement. The interaction was attended by senior SAI officials, including regional director, SAI Kolkata, Shri Sibananda Mishra; Olympians Smt. Soma Biswas and Smt. Poulami Ghatak; regional director, MY Bharat, Shri Dev Kumar Chatterjee; and members of the Indian women’s rugby team.
The minister highlighted the importance of integrating sports science, nutrition, rehabilitation and performance support with quality coaching and regular competition exposure to strengthen athlete development.
She also inspected the new 300-bedded Khelo India hostel, and accommodation and support facilities being developed for athletes. Smt. Khadse visited the archery field and athletics facilities, interacting with coaches and trainees and taking stock of their training requirements.
Following the facility inspection, the minister chaired a review meeting with SAI officials on the functioning of the centre, including athlete development, infrastructure, coaching, sports science and support systems. She assured continued support from SAI to strengthen sporting opportunities at the grassroots and create stronger pathways for young athletes to progress to higher levels of competition.
Smt. Khadse highlighted West Bengal’s rich sporting culture and talent base and the need for quality infrastructure and training, scientific training and greater competition exposure. She stressed that young athletes should have access to facilities and support systems required to pursue sporting excellence.
As part of the ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ programme under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years of public service, Smt. Khadse participated in a ‘Diya Prajwalan’ ceremony . The month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan began today and will continue till October 17.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Khadse said thay diyas were lit to wish Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday today, adding that the Prime Minister always stresses on the advancement of sports in our country to pave the way for Viksit Bharat.
She thanked MY Bharat volunteers for their participation and highlighted the role of youth engagement initiatives. Referring to the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD), she urged everyone to promote sports as an emerging sector.
The minister underlined the commitment to develop sports institutions in the country which has the largest youth population in the world.
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SS/SS/KOL/17.09.2026