1,191 Posts Vacant in Sports Authority of India: Recruitment Drive Launched
Sports Minister reveals 1,191 posts vacant in SAI, says recruitment process has begun.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is facing a severe staffing shortage, with 1,191 posts currently lying vacant, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha on Monday. The revelation comes after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Sports highlighted SAI as “critically” under-staffed and under-funded in a recent report.
Responding to a question from Congress MP Adoor Prakash, Mandaviya confirmed that the government has acknowledged the Committee’s concerns. “The recruitment process for certain posts has already been initiated,” he stated, emphasizing that efforts are underway to fill the vacancies as soon as possible.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee, headed by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, observed that nearly 45% of sanctioned posts in SAI remain vacant. The panel criticized reliance on contractual appointments, describing it as only an ad hoc solution to address staffing shortages. The committee has asked the ministry to complete the recruitment process within six months and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR).
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Currently, SAI operates with an annual allocation of Rs 830 crore from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ total budget of Rs 3,794 crore. Mandaviya clarified that budget allocations are based on SAI’s proposals, with additional requirements examined through supplementary grants as needed during the financial year.
The minister also addressed concerns regarding safety and harassment in sports, stating that SAI operates a 24x7 helpline for athletes. National Sports Federations have been instructed to ensure the inclusion of women coaches in female athlete contingents and to strengthen support staff in training camps and competitions.
With recruitment processes underway and safety measures in place, the government aims to strengthen SAI’s workforce and create a safer, more supportive environment for athletes across the country. The ministry has committed to reporting back to Parliament on the progress of filling these critical positions.
