A brand new Poligras Paris GT Zero hockey turf for the SAI Centre in Bengaluru and the replacement of existing electronic targets with laser target systems at the Karni Singh Shooting Range are among the key projects approved by the Governing Body (GB) of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) during a meeting chaired by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
In addition to these two proposals, the SAI GB approved a wide range of infrastructure development and upgrade projects across the country.
Key Projects Approved
- The procurement of Poligras Paris GT Zero hockey turf for SAI NSSC, Bengaluru, which serves as the training hub for the Indian men’s and women’s national and ‘A’ hockey teams.
- Replacement of existing electronic shooting targets with laser target systems at the Karni Singh Shooting Range (KSSR), the training ground for India’s elite and emerging shooters.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of strengthening the Indian sports ecosystem, stating, “The Indian sports ecosystem is now in its youth, and it is the need of the hour to strengthen it in every possible way so that it has a bright future. The decisions we are taking today are athlete-centric and aimed at ensuring that players have the best infrastructure that they need so that the medal counts that we have in mind for CWG and Olympics are met.”
Additional Approvals
The meeting also greenlit the construction of three multipurpose halls at:
- SAI NCOE Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly SAI Aurangabad)
- SAI NSNIS Patiala
- SAI LNCPE Trivandrum
These facilities will support intensive training and comprehensive athlete development. The facility at SAI NCOE Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will feature a dedicated weather-proof boxing training zone, a strength and conditioning area, and designated indoor spaces for volleyball and badminton. The indoor training hall at SAI NSNIS Patiala is expected to enhance indoor training capacity and provide a modern, integrated ecosystem for sports performance, sports science support, conditioning, and recovery.
Moreover, India’s premier academic institution and high-performance training centre, LNCPE Trivandrum, will be equipped with a new multipurpose hall to ensure uninterrupted year-round training and academic activities.
Athletics Infrastructure Development
The GB also approved the construction of a 400-metre, 8-lane synthetic athletics track at SAI STC Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. Notably, SAI STC Jalpaiguri has emerged as a key centre for athletics training and has consistently delivered commendable performances at both regional and national levels despite limited infrastructure.
In addition to SAI STC Jalpaiguri, the committee also approved the laying of a new synthetic track in SAI CRC, Bhopal. This centre trains athletes from multiple sporting disciplines and has consistently produced international-level athletes, including two Olympdigihunt.