SAI Governing Body Greenlights Major Sports Infrastructure Projects

The Sports Authority of India's Governing Body has approved a series of infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing sports training facilities across the country. Chaired by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting focused on athlete-centric decisions, including the procurement of advanced hockey turf and the construction of multipurpose training halls. New synthetic athletics tracks are also set to be established in key training centers, ensuring that athletes have access to top-notch facilities. This initiative aims to bolster India's sports ecosystem and improve performance in upcoming international competitions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 22, 2025, 20:48 IST

SAI Governing Body Meeting Highlights

The Sports Authority of India's (SAI) Governing Body, led by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, convened in New Delhi on Monday to approve numerous infrastructure enhancement initiatives across the nation.

"The Indian sports landscape is in its formative years, and it is crucial to bolster it in every possible manner to secure a promising future. Today's decisions are focused on athletes and aim to provide them with the necessary infrastructure to achieve our medal aspirations for the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics," Mandaviya stated during the meeting.

Enhancements for National Training Facilities

A significant recommendation from the Governing Body includes acquiring Poligras Paris GT Zero hockey turf for the SAI NSSC in Bengaluru, which serves as the training hub for the national men's and women's hockey teams.

Additionally, the Governing Body has decided to upgrade the existing electronic shooting targets at the Karni Singh Shooting Range (KSSR) to laser target systems, enhancing the training environment for India's top shooters.

Construction of New Multipurpose Training Halls

The Governing Body also sanctioned the development of three multipurpose halls at various SAI centers: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), Patiala, and Trivandrum. These facilities will support intensive training and holistic athlete development.

The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar facility will feature a weather-resistant boxing training area, a strength and conditioning zone, and dedicated indoor spaces for volleyball and badminton. Meanwhile, the Patiala center will enhance its indoor training capabilities, creating a modern ecosystem for sports performance and recovery.

LNCPE Trivandrum, recognized as a leading academic and high-performance training institution, will also receive a multipurpose hall to facilitate continuous training and academic pursuits.

Approval of New Synthetic Athletics Tracks

The Governing Body has also approved the establishment of a new 400-meter, 8-lane synthetic athletics track at SAI STC Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. This center has become a pivotal location for athletics training, consistently producing impressive results at regional and national competitions despite its limited facilities.

Furthermore, a new synthetic track will be laid at SAI CRC in Bhopal, which has a history of nurturing athletes across various sports, including two Olympians.