India Launches Largest-Ever Coach Recruitment Drive to Boost Sports Talent

The newly sanctioned drive will fill over 320 Assistant Coach vacancies across more than 25 sports disciplines, marking the first major coaching cadre induction since 2017.

In a landmark move to fortify India's sporting infrastructure, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has approved the largest recruitment drive ever for the cadre of Assistant Coaches (Level-06) under the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Announced by Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, who also holds the portfolio of Labour & Employment, the initiative is seen as a pivotal step in realizing the government’s broader vision of transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse.

The newly sanctioned drive will fill over 320 Assistant Coach vacancies across more than 25 sports disciplines, marking the first major coaching cadre induction since 2017.

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A Game-Changing Step in Indian Sports Development

Speaking to the media, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the transformative impact of this recruitment campaign:

“To ensure fairness, transparency, and merit, a comprehensive selection process is being established to induct the best coaching talent available in the country. This strategic move will play a key role in advancing India’s sporting ambitions over the next decade.”

This recruitment initiative aligns closely with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s Medal Strategy for upcoming Olympic and Asian Games, focusing on disciplines where India holds high medal prospects, such as:

• Aquatics

• Cycling

• Shooting

• Athletics

• Wrestling

At the same time, the Ministry is also committed to nurturing sports disciplines that have historically received less visibility but are rapidly gaining traction—such as:

• Lawn Tennis

• Kayaking and Canoeing

• Table Tennis

• Fencing

• Rowing

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Strengthening the Grassroots-to-Elite Coaching Pipeline

The Assistant Coach cadre plays a vital role in India’s athlete development model, serving as the bedrock of grassroots talent identification, training, and long-term mentorship. This cadre supports athletes from early-stage development to elite international preparation under structured national programs.

By bolstering this foundational level of coaching, the Ministry seeks to:

• Build institutional depth in coaching infrastructure

• Promote standardized coaching practices nationwide

• Ensure athletes receive scientific, high-quality, and consistent support across training centers

• Create career growth paths for coaches, motivating high-caliber professionals to join the system

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Unprecedented Focus on Gender Inclusivity

One of the most progressive aspects of this recruitment drive is its commitment to gender equality. More than 50% of the new posts will be reserved for women coaches, a groundbreaking move in Indian sports administration.

This decision has been made in line with India’s SafeSport goals and will help:

• Increase the number of qualified female coaches across all disciplines

• Create safe, empowering spaces for women athletes, especially at youth levels

• Encourage more women to enter and remain in coaching careers

• Address the current shortage of female coaches in elite sports

Dr. Mandaviya stressed that a diverse and inclusive coaching workforce is not only a matter of representation but is essential to fostering an environment where athletes—especially women—can train and compete with confidence.

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Transparent and Merit-Based Selection Process

To preserve the integrity of this historic recruitment initiative, the Ministry is establishing a multi-stage, transparent selection process guided by:

• Strict eligibility criteria based on coaching certification and experience

• Written assessments and practical coaching evaluations

• Vigilance against bias or politicization, with all selections based on merit

• Independent oversight from senior sporting and administrative experts

This reform-driven approach aligns with the government’s larger goal of creating meritocratic systems across the sporting landscape, including athlete selection, training investment, and international representation.

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Institutional Support and Visionary Planning

The move comes at a time when India is actively reshaping its sports governance model. With programs like Khelo India, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and Fit India Movement, the government is investing in sports infrastructure, athlete welfare, and global competitiveness.

By empowering the Assistant Coach cadre, the Ministry is providing a strong human resource backbone to complement these schemes. This initiative also:

• Reflects a strategic emphasis on long-term athlete development (LTAD)

• Supports India’s roadmap to "Viksit Bharat @2047" through sports excellence

• Responds to rising public interest in sports as a career and lifestyle choice

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Looking Ahead: Building a Sporting Powerhouse

With this recruitment drive, India is poised to:

• Lay the groundwork for international sporting success across multiple disciplines

• Improve athlete-to-coach ratios at both grassroots and elite levels

• Foster a performance-driven coaching culture grounded in science, inclusivity, and innovation

• Encourage international collaborations and continuous professional development for coaches

As India’s young population looks to sports not only for fame but also as a viable career path, this initiative is both timely and visionary. It recognizes that coaches are the engine of athlete success, and empowering them is key to sustained podium finishes and global respect.