NSFs asked to form panel for International Relations
The Sports Ministry has asked every national federation to constitute a “Committee on International Relations” to ensure better cooperation with world bodies on issues such as joint training programmes and hosting of major competitions in India.
In addition, it has also asked National Sports Federations (NSFs) to constitute “Make in India in Sports Committees” to engage with Indian manufacturers, start-ups, research institutions, and testing and standardisation bodies to bolster the sports manufacturing ecosystem. In its communication to the NSFs, the ministry said the international relations committee should comprise senior members of the federation, former international athletes, coaches and “subject experts with proven experience in global sports administration and diplomacy.”
“The details of the Committee, including its composition and terms of reference, may kindly be communicated to this Ministry within 30 days from the date of issuance of this advisory,” the Ministry letter to the NSFs, which is in possession of PTI, stated. The advisory comes a few days after Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao urged NSF officials to leave day-to-day administration to CEOs and focus on building ties internationally for India’s benefit.
“You are the vision builders, you are not administrators. You require professional administrators in your organisation who handle the day-to-day business while you network with international bodies and plan the pyramid of growth,” he had stated in Ahmedabad last week.
“You should be able to facilitate a process by which our leadership is on first name basis with the international body representatives,” he had said while unveiling the medal strategy for the next decade.
The ministry advisory said the decision to advise the formation of such a committee was based on “the rapidly evolving global sports environment.”
The committee will be entrusted with the task of monitoring developments in their respective International Federation (IF), Conatinental Federation (CF), including changes in competition rules and structures, and governance frameworks and elections. “It will also be expected to formulate a “medium-term international cooperation plan covering bilateral/multilateral MoUs, joint training camps, exchange programmes, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and hosting of international competitions in India,” the letter stated.
The committee will coordinate with international federations to ensure India’s timely participation in the bidding process.
In addition, the committee will prepare periodic briefs to the Ministry, highlighting the collaborations that are either finalised or in motion between the concerned NSF and its counterparts.
“These briefs should emphasise initiatives that enhance performance pathways for Indian athletes and teams, including access to elite competitions, sparring opportunities, and advanced sports science support abroad,” the letter said.
Collaboration with international sports research and academic institutions for the best training opportunities and sports science support for the Indian athletes will also be among the briefs for this panel.
Make in India Committee: This committee will include senior federation members, technical experts, former international athletes, and at least one member with “experience in sports equipment or technology, manufacturing, or standards.”
“Details of the Committee, including its composition, may be communicated to the Ministry within 60 days of issuance of this advisory,” the ministry stated.
The committee will also prepare periodic reports on the adoption of indigenous solutions, highlighting progress made, constraints faced, and recommendations for consideration within the NSF.
Among its mandates would be encouraging awareness among athletes, coaches and technical officials regarding approved Indian products...Suitable for use in domestic and international competitions.
The sports secretary had also touched upon this aspect during his address at the Ahmedabad Sports Governance Conclave.
“If you don’t use Indian products, how will they build the confidence of tapping into international markets,” he had told the assembled officials from NSFs and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
