SAI NERC highlights Khelo India Initiatives and Sports Development in North East
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 21 2026: The Sports Authority of India (SAI), North-East Regional Centre (NERC), Imphal, organised a press meet today at the Auditorium Hall of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Nityaipat Chuthek.

The SAI functions as the apex national sports body mandated to promote sports excellence and identify and nurture sporting talent across the country.

SAI NERC, Imphal, oversees the functioning of one National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) at Imphal and four SAI Special Training Centres (STCs) at Imphal (Khuman Lampak), Utlou, Aizawl and Dimapur.

SAI NERC highlights Khelo India Initiatives and Sports Development in North East

Speaking at the press meet, Naorem Praveen, YAS Secretary, Government of Manipur, emphasized the importance of integrating sports into education, referring to the Bharat Khel Niti 2025 and the National Education Policy 2020 .

He noted that sports play an important role in the physical and mental development of students and stressed the need to encourage children to pursue careers according to their interests and potential.

He observed that children today have limited opportunities to engage in outdoor activities due to demanding school schedules, which can adversely affect their physical and mental well-being.

He called for greater participation in sports to ensure that students remain healthy and focused.

Highlighting Manipur's strong sporting culture, Naorem Praveen said that sports development in the State is supported not only by infrastructure but also by parents, local communities, coaches, clubs and sports associations.

He stressed the importance of strengthening the "soft infrastructure" of sports, including guidance, training, injury prevention and management, recognition and community support.

Praveen further stated that a more systematic approach to sports development could help Manipur win more medals at National and international competitions.

Referring to the recently notified Khelo India guidelines, he noted that 19 sports have been identified for priority support and expressed concern that disciplines such as aquatic sports, particularly diving, Wushu and Sepak Takraw, in which Manipur has demonstrated considerable potential, were not included among them.

He also highlighted the National vision for developing India into a leading sporting Nation and called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of Khelo India initiatives.

He urged students and young people to actively participate in sports and maintain physical fitness.

C Dhandapani, SAI North-East Regional Director, and Laishram Samritya Singh, Assistant Director, SAI NERC, gave an overview of the Khelo India programme, its objectives and the key provisions of its revamped framework.

They highlighted the enhanced outlay of Rs 36,441 crore, aimed at significantly expanding the number of athletes supported and strengthening the North East as a key sporting talent cluster.

The framework envisages support for 10,000 Khelo India Athletes and 20,000 Emerging Khelo India Athletes across 30 sports disciplines, with funding linked to athlete progression from grassroots to the elite level.

They also highlighted the 90:10 Centre-State funding pattern for North-Eastern States, expansion of Khelo India Centres and integration of sports with mainstream education, including the proposed linkage of Eklavya Model Residential Schools with the Khelo India feeder-school network.

The officials further highlighted the introduction of advanced sports technology, including AI-based talent scouting, IoT-enabled wearables, sports science and AI-driven performance analysis; professionalisation of coaching through systematic training, international exposure and the proposed National Coach Accreditation Board; and expansion of competitive opportunities through school, university, regional, zonal and sport-specific leagues, including the ASMITA Women's League.

They also emphasized the expansion of the Fit India Movement through community fitness hubs, mass participation, yoga and indigenous games to promote community wellness.

Arjuna Awardee and renowned Wushu player Naorem Roshibina Devi, along with representatives of various media houses and officials of SAI, attended the press meet.