Shri Vijay Goel, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India, today  visited SAI NSSC Bangalore to review the progress of National Camps for preparing for the RIO Olympics 2016.  He was accompanied by DG, SAI. He interacted with the athletes and enquired about their preparedness. The minister wished all athletes, including Hockey (Men), Athletes (Walkers, Middle and Long Distance runners and Relay team) and Para Athletes all the best for Olympics/Paralympics.   He also complimented the Staff, Coaches, Sports Scientists and Officers, who did a wonderful job to support the National Campers to make them comfortable by providing all the required facilities and prepare them for the International Competitions as well as for the forthcoming RIO Olympic Games 2016.

National Camps in Athletics started way back in 2014. National Camp in the discipline of Hockey started in 2015 after the relaying of Hockey Synthetic turf and also the discipline of Archery started in the month of May, 2016 for whom the facility was specially created on the lines of ambience expected to be available at the RIO Olympics 2016. National Camps in the discipline of Athletics(Walkers and Middle and Long Distance Runners) and Para Athletes is also being held at this Centre.

The 2^nd Synthetic Hockey Turf Blue colour which is having similar specifications of the Turf being used in RIO Olympics was also made available to the National Team by the month of February, 2016.

            SAI NSSC Bangalore which is having a well equipped with dedicated staff, Sports Medicine and Sports Scientists to provide required assistance support and counseling to the National Campers preparing for various International Competitions.  Recently SAI Head Office had also placed order  for latest Sports Science equipment for providing better support to the National Campers.  Also due to less number of qualified Sports Scientists SAI head Office has taken the Research Fellows to work in the Sports Science Centres.  10 such Research Fellows are allotted to SAI NSSC Bangalore and all these Research Fellows have joined and started working with the National Camps.

Following National Camps have Been organized  at this centre for Rio  Olympics 2016

i)                    National Camp in Athletics particularly for Walkers, Middle and Long Distance Runners is held at this Centre and good number of Athletes  from this group have been qualified to take part in the RIO Olympics 2016.  Recently Athletes in the discipline of 4x400 M Relay Men and Women also shifted to this Centre who are also proceeding to RIO Olympics after having a short stint at this Centre.

ii)                  National Camp in Hockey Sr. Men and Women, Jr. Men and Women are being held at this Centre regularly since last 8 to 9 months.  Hockey Chief Coach and High Performance Director Mr.Roelant Oltmans is satisfied with the playing facilities as well as the other support being provided at this Centre and would like to continue the camps at this Centre.

iii)                The National Camp in Archery was also held at this Centre since May, 2016 for whom the facility was created at a very short notice as per the requirements of Archery Association of India to suit the similar conditions prevailing or will be available at RIO Olympic Games 2016.

iv)                National Camp for Para Athletes is also being held at this Centre preparing for RIO Olympic Games.

v)                  The National Camp in Swimming for 02 Swimmers qualified for RIO Olympic Games 2016 is also being held at Basavanagudi Swimming Pool under the jurisdiction of SAI NSSC BANGALORE.

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