Sports Ministry complies National Sports Development Code of India-2011

New Delhi, February 1, 2011: Union Minister of State (Independent Charges) for Youth Affairs and Sports Ajay Maken on Tuesday released the National Sports Development Code, 2011 compiled by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

While releasing the Code at a Press conference here, he said this compilation contains all guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time to promote good governance in the management of sports development, including sporting excellence, in the country. Toward this end, the Government had issued comprehensive guidelines in the past in 1975, 1988, 1997 and 2001 in pursuance of successive National Sports Policies, he added. Shri Maken said that this Code will be published in Gazette of India so that all National Sports Federations can follow it.

Post 2001 guidelines several major initiatives have been taken by the Government, which include declaration of National Sports Federations (NSFs) availing of government grant as a public authorities under the Right to Information Act, 2005; implementation of age and tenure limit in respect of office bearers of NSFs; notification and implementation of NADA Anti-Doping Rules; introduction of guidelines for prevention of age fraud in sports, and guidelines for holding fair and transparent elections to NSFs.

The guidelines are aimed at promoting good governance among NSFs as a means to strengthening their autonomy for discharging their functions and duties in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the basic principles and rules that govern the Olympic movement, and in the interest of sports development at large and the athletes’ welfare in particular.

It is noted with satisfaction that a large number of federations have already adopted or communicated their intent to adopt the good governance principles communicated by the Government from time to time. These include federations responsible for major sports disciplines such as athletics, badminton, boxing, golf, hockey, gymnastics, rowing, shooting, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and yachting.

Since the primary intent of the National Sports Development Code is developmental in nature, the scales of the assistance for preparation of national teams up to 2012 London Olympic have been kept at the same level that was adopted for 2010 CWG. Further, with a view to expediting the approval of proposals from and release of funds to NSFs, certain functions have been delegated to SAI. Further, the need for specialization in the coaching department, including need for scientific support, has been duly recognized by allowing need-based deployment of such personnel. The anomaly that was earlier prevalent wherein the monthly remuneration to national coaches of non-CWG disciplines was Rs.15,000/- as compared to Rs.50,000 for CWG disciplines has been removed by raising the monthly remuneration of national coaches across all disciplines to Rs.50,000. Further, deployment of Assistant Coaches on a need-based manner has also been allowed.

With a view to also supporting sports development activities undertaken by sports bodies other than NSFs, a provision has been made to enable government support tournaments and other activities promoted by such organizations.

Recognizing the importance of school and university sport, it has been decided to have special long terms plans for the federations dealing with school sports and university sports.

In order to have a long term focus on promotion of sports excellence, it has been decided to henceforth put in place a long-term plan for two Olympic cycle at a time, which would be subject to annual review. This would enable us to concentrate on both active national teams and the feeder level.

With a view to eradicating cheating in sports, detailed guidelines have been prescribed for preventing doping in sports and preventing age fraud in sports.

Provision has been made for supporting exchange programmes in order to strengthen international cooperation between India and other countries in the field of sports. Efforts will be made to enter into MoUs and agreements with a number of countries on mutual beneficial agenda.

The compilation of all existing instructions in the form of a single National Sports Development Code will enable better compliance with the basic universal principles of good governance in sports, which would, in turn promote a strong sporting culture and sports excellence in the country.

Source: Union Sports Ministry Press release