"We want them to feel no lack of facilities": SAI's Aditi Singh on athlete support system
Ahmedabad, May 23
Sports Authority of India's NSWC Gandhinagar Director Aditi Singh has highlighted the role of the National Centre of Excellence scheme in equipping Indian athletes with comprehensive sports science and training facilities aimed at improving international performances.
Speaking to ANI, Singh said that the NCOE Ahmedabad centre currently offers training in three sports disciplines--Wushu, Volleyball, and Basketball--while also focusing heavily on scientific support systems.
"In the NCOE Ahmedabad centre, training in three sports disciplines is being provided, which are Wushu, Volleyball, and Basketball. Along with sports coaching, our main focus in SAI's National Centre of Excellence scheme is to fully provide sports science facilities to the athletes so that they can excel on international podiums and hoist the flag with excellence," Singh said.
She added that the objective is to ensure athletes in India receive facilities on par with global standards.
"We want them to feel no lack of facilities compared to international standards while staying in India. In this regard, we first emphasise nutrition," she added.
Singh further explained that a structured nutrition system has been put in place for athletes, with dedicated experts monitoring their diet on a daily basis.
"We have our own nutritionist who makes a nutrition and diet plan for every athlete and monitors that they are given the diet accordingly on a daily basis," she said.
She also highlighted the role of sports science support, including medical and psychological services, in athlete development.
"Along with it, anthropometry, our sports medicine experts, and sports psychologists boost their morale. Coaching in strength and conditioning is also provided," Singh said.
She added that recovery and rehabilitation facilities are also an integral part of the programme.
"Additionally, all kinds of facilities for hydrotherapy, recovery, and rehabilitation are provided at the National Centre of Excellence," she said.
A few days back, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level review meeting to assess India's preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2026 scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland.
The meeting focused on ensuring seamless coordination among all stakeholders and strengthening the support system for Indian athletes preparing for CWG 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said.
Mandaviya emphasised that the government remains committed to providing every possible support to Indian athletes to help them perform at their highest level at the CWG.
He highlighted the importance of timely planning, coordination among agencies and athlete-centric preparation to ensure a successful campaign for the country.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great initiative but I hope this isn't just box-ticking. Indian sports need more grassroots investment, not just elite facilities. The real test will be when our athletes from small towns can access these resources.
Aditi ma'am is doing commendable work. I was at the NCOE Ahmedabad last month for my nephew's wushu tournament - the setup is truly world-class. The nutritionists and psychologists are game-changers. Hope other SAI centres take note!
Good to see structured athlete support emerging in India. Coming from Canada, I can say this is exactly how we developed our Olympic programs - systematic, scientific, and athlete-first. The Commonwealth Games prep review is also promising.
Hydrotherapy and sports psychology being taken seriously - yeh baat hai! 🏊♂️ We always had talent but lacked the ecosystem. Only concern is ensuring these facilities reach athletes beyond the metro cities. Aur statewide expansion chahiye.
Great vision but execution matters. The gap between policy and on-ground reality in India is often huge. Hope this isn't just a media show and actual athletes are seeing benefits. Would love to hear testimonials from players using these facilities.
R Rohit P As a w We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.