India is targeting a spot among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036, with a strategic plan to revamp its sports ecosystem. The Department of Sports is leading this transformation by enhancing the administrative framework to support this ambitious goal. A Task Force, led by Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, has been set up to professionalize sports administration.
The Task Force has submitted a comprehensive report emphasizing the importance of competent and forward-thinking sports administrators in reshaping India’s sports infrastructure. It has proposed the establishment of the National Council for Sports Education & Capacity Building (NCSECB) as an independent statutory body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This body would oversee the regulation, accreditation, and certification of sports administration training.
In a bid to strengthen the capacity of sports administrators, the Task Force recommends implementing a five-level Capability Maturity Model (CMM) as a tool for assessment and planning. This model aims to enhance institutional maturity in areas such as cadre structure, curriculum development, digital integration, and athlete pathways. It also advocates for the inclusion of sports governance training modules in the education and advanced training programs for IAS and State Civil Service officers.
Furthermore, the report suggests practical measures like rotational postings, apprenticeship programs, innovation labs, and collaborations with various stakeholders to facilitate skill application and professional growth among sports administrators. The Department of Sports is currently reviewing these recommendations to take necessary actions in line with its objective of enhancing India’s sports ecosystem.
To bolster the sports administration setup, the Department of Sports has already introduced reforms, including revised norms for financial assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs). These changes allow NSFs to allocate a portion of their funding for administrative manpower and essential support services. The reforms also emphasize the need for a well-defined administrative structure within NSFs and the recruitment of qualified staff through proper procedures.
These initiatives aim to establish a governance framework focused on athletes’ welfare, positioning India for sustained success in sports beyond 2036. The groundwork for this vision has been laid with the enactment of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
