Union Minister Raksha Khadse reviews sports facilities and development initiatives in Kolkata

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, recently conducted an inspection of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) regional centre located in Salt Lake, Kolkata. During her visit, she assessed the existing sports infrastructure, facilities dedicated to athlete development, and the overall support systems available at the centre.

Commencing her visit, Smt. Khadse paid floral tributes to the statue of Netaji Subhas. She subsequently toured the hockey field, as well as indoor facilities for gymnastics and table tennis. During these interactions, she engaged directly with trainees and coaches to gather feedback regarding their training requirements and competitive needs.

The Minister also visited the sports science department, where she held discussions with staff members. The conversation focused on the critical role of scientific support in enhancing athlete performance, conditioning, and recovery. Senior SAI officials and prominent Olympians participated in these deliberations.

Smt. Khadse inspected the new 300-bed 'Khelo India' hostel, evaluating the residential facilities and support infrastructure being developed for athletes. Additionally, she visited the archery field and athletics track to gain a comprehensive understanding of the training requirements for these disciplines.

Following the inspection, the Minister chaired a review meeting with SAI officials to discuss the functioning of the regional centre. Key topics included athlete development, infrastructure, coaching, and sports science support. She assured that SAI would continue to assist in strengthening grassroots sports opportunities and creating better pathways for young athletes to reach elite competitions.

Smt. Khadse emphasized that the rich sports culture and talent base of West Bengal could be further bolstered through quality infrastructure, scientific training, and improved coaching. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that young athletes have access to the necessary facilities and support systems to achieve sporting excellence.

It is noteworthy that this SAI regional centre serves as a vital hub for implementing and monitoring sports schemes across West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tripura, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The centre houses extensive infrastructure, including fields for hockey and football, an athletics track, and specialized sports science facilities.