Sports Ministry Revolutionizes Athlete Selection Process with Transparent Guidelines for International Events

The Sports Ministry has sent instructions to National Sports Federations to formulate and upload their selection policies for international events on their websites at least two years in advance. This move aims to bring transparency and fairness to the selection process, allowing athletes to prepare and plan accordingly. The selection norms must be clear, consistent, and based on predetermined criteria, ensuring that athletes are evaluated fairly.

The guidelines include several key components: * Selection policies must be uploaded on the National Sports Federation's website at least two years in advance for mega sporting events like Olympics and Asian Games. * A grievance redressal mechanism must be established to address athlete complaints within a week. * Selection trials and domestic competitions must be video recorded and forwarded to the Sports Authority of India (SAI). * The Sports Ministry or SAI may appoint an observer for selection trials to submit independent reports. * The selection policy should specify guidelines for selecting athletes for coaching camps, with criteria laid down at least three months in advance.

The National Sports Federations are required to complete the selection procedure 45 days prior to the team's departure to ensure smooth logistics. The Sports Ministry reserves the right to approve participation at no cost to the government if it is not satisfied with the selection of athletes recommended by the National Sports Federation on grounds of fairness and transparency. By implementing these guidelines, the Sports Ministry aims to reduce the number of court cases and ensure a smooth selection process for international events.