New Delhi: India continues to rely on foreign coaches for the training of elite athletes across nearly all sports. Despite ongoing discussions regarding the necessity of cultivating high-quality Indian coaches, the current landscape remains unsatisfactory. As India aims to host the 2036 Olympics, the Sports Ministry has recognized this dependency as a critical issue that must be addressed.

The development of world-class, domestically trained coaches and support personnel will play a vital role in improving India’s prospects for winning medals at the Olympics. This matter was a focal point during a meeting held on Tuesday between Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and officials from the National Sports Federations.

To rectify this situation, the ministry intends to initiate a program similar to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) designed for athletes, aimed at establishing a substantial pool of Indian coaches and support staff.

Through this initiative, the government will provide funding for Indian coaches to enhance their expertise, receive comprehensive training abroad, and participate in international coaching seminars and conferences. An official familiar with the initiative stated, “Indian coaches are essential at all levels, from grassroots to elite performance, to nurture talented athletes. This will not be achievable without a sufficient number of qualified Indian coaches trained in contemporary scientific coaching techniques. International certification is also a crucial requirement for coaches. The Sports Ministry is considering launching this as a pilot project akin to TOPS.”

It has been observed that many elite Indian athletes still prefer to train with their original coaches. “A basic coach is insufficient for training athletes at the highest level. There must be a hierarchy of coaches, and this program aims to establish that,” the official further explained.

The federations have been urged to actively seek avenues for coach development and to leverage existing programs, such as the Human Resource Development scheme, which offers financial support for training and short-term courses for coaches, technical staff, and support personnel.

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