Sports Ministry gives wake-up call to NSFs?

In the wake of poor management of National Para Athletics championships, the Sports Ministry has instructed all the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to draw the calendar of their events well in advance for the smooth and efficient hosting of the tournaments.

"The primary responsibility for organising the events rests with the NSFs. It is incumbent upon them to take all measures for smooth conduct of the championships with a vision to empower the athletes to reach their optimum potential," a Sports Ministry release stated.

As per the existing guidelines of the government, it is mandatory for all NSFs to conduct national championships every year for senior, junior and sub-junior categories.

Some NSFs also conduct zonal championships and international tournaments in India. But from time to time the Ministry has been receiving complaints from various quarters regarding the basic minimum facilities not being provided to sportspersons during the various championships/tournaments conducted by NSFs.

As a result the Ministry has decided to issue certain guidelines on the conduct of various tournaments.

"All NSFs are directed to adopt a few measures for organising tournaments, as the responsibility lies with the NSFs for their organisation, supervision and conduct in every aspect," said the release.

As per the new guidelines issued by the Ministry, there are a number of measures that are needed to be followed by all the NSFs.

The guideline says that the tournaments/championships should be held in such stadia, indoor halls, which are easily accessible to the athletes. In case, the event is for differently-abled athletes, the facilities should be disabled-friendly and all the basic facilities should be available for sportspersons.

The representatives of all the NSFs should reach the venue of championship at least two days before the event to ensure that all the facilities are in place. 

It further says that proper resting place should be arranged so that the athletes can rest during the break time, clean drinking water should be provided, tea/coffee and snacks should be made available. Besides, neat and clean toilets including disabled friendly toilets must be provided in sufficient numbers.

The guideline also says that separate changing rooms for boys and girls should be provided.

The Ministry has also given a separate list of instructions to be followed for the residential area, where the athletes would be put up during an event.

The rooms should be airy with proper light and fans (wherever possible ACs/coolers may be provided) and it should not be over-crowded. Preferably not two to three players/officials should be accommodated in one room depending upon the size of each room.

Bedding with neat and clean linen should be provided to the players/officials. Hygienic and healthy food must be given to the players/officials preferably in disposable plates and glasses.

As far as the common provisions are concerned, the Ministry has instructed the NSFs to provide proper transport facilities to the players/officials from the place of stay to the venue of championship.

Players' Grievance Cell should be created and notified by NSFs before the start of each championship, so that any complaint from players could be attended to on top-priority basis, keeping in view the interest of sportspersons.

Responsible officials should be designated to remain available for the entire duration of the events so that the players can approach them for their needs. Their contact details including e-mail ID and mobile phone numbers should be available on the website of the NSFs and displayed prominently at the venue.

First aid facilities should be kept ready at all times.

"The compliance of the guidelines is mandatory and forms part of National Sports Development Code of India, 2011," the release added.