Punjab-SAI all set to boost sports culture in state

Chandigarh, April 6, 2015: Punjab Government has joined hands with Sports Authority of India to give a boost to sports culture in the state under a strategic roadmap in this area besides upgrading sports amenities and infrastructure for budding players. The State has also decided to recruit senior coaches for this purpose to train the promising stars as per the current world sports scenario.

Giving details an official spokesman said Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds sports portfolio, emphasised to develop and maintain world class infrastructure in the sports department and for this purpose the government would establish residential sports training centers primarily at Ludhiana, SAS Nagar and Jalandhar. Deputy CM has directed the department to ensure maximum participation of Punjabi players in coming international events by launching a long term athlete development program in collaboration with education department and SAI.

He said joint venture of State-SOI will be a step forward to motivate youth towards sports. He said under this project model sports training centers equipped with ultra-modern sports facilities, infrastructure and gadgets would be setup across the state. He said there were more than 845 players were being trained presently by sports department in sports centers and after setting up of these centers the numbers will touch to approximately 1300.

Spokesman said proper coaching in upcoming centers would provide a platform to the players to improve their sports skills so as to compete at the national as well as international levels. He said the government was committed to provide better sports facilities at village and block level to improve the standard of sports in the state.

Adding further, he said that various categories including senior coaches, coaches, physical trainers for Hockey, wrestling (Free style & Greco Roman), Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastic (Artistic & Rhythmic), Athletics (Jumps, Sprint, Middle/Long distance), Discuss Throw/Decathlon, Basketball, Rowing, Swimming, Badminton, Table Tennis, Volley Ball and Weight Lifting would be covered under the sports recruitment process. Besides this, dieticians would also be appointed to give necessary guidance on diet and nutrition to the budding players.

Referring to the qualification and experience required for the senior coaches and coaches, he said that the application should possess NIS diploma of certificate in coaching from respective international federation with five years’ experience as national coach. For the post of Coach besides the same qualifications no work experience is required. For physical trainer the applicant should possess NIS diploma in athletics or AIPT from Pune Army Institute of Physical Training. For the post of dietician MSc in food and nutrition, dietetic and nutrition with minimum three years’ experience is required. The age limit of Chief Coach is below 65 years, Coach is below 55 years, Physical trainer below 45 and dietician below 60 years. He further said the applications may be sent to the Director (Training), Punjab State Institute of Sports.