Prashant Singh named SAI Regional Director for Gujarat and Rajasthan
Synopsis
SAI has appointed Prashant Singh as Regional Director for its Gandhinagar centre, covering Gujarat and Rajasthan. With a decade of experience spanning Khelo India, TOPS, CAIMS and three Olympic cycles, Singh's most consequential early task is building NCOE Gandhinagar into a national Para Sports hub — a priority that could reshape elite pathways for para athletes across western India.
Key Takeaways
Prashant Singh appointed Regional Director, SAI Regional Centre, Gandhinagar on 2 September .
He brings over 10 years of sports administration experience, including Khelo India , TOPS and the 36th National Games .
Immediate priorities include implementing the Khelo India Scheme and developing NCOE Gandhinagar as a national Para Sports hub.
NCOE Naranpura is to be developed as a major venue for national coaching camps.
SAI schemes in the region will be expanded to include Softball , Baseball and other emerging Olympic-potential sports.
Singh previously established the Central Athlete Injury Management System (CAIMS) in 2021 and led SAI's Media Division from 2022 .
Prashant Singh has been appointed Regional Director of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre in Gandhinagar, with a mandate to strengthen the sporting pipeline across Gujarat and Rajasthan — from grassroots talent identification through to high-performance and podium-level preparation. The appointment was announced on 2 September.
Who Is Prashant Singh
Singh, who hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, brings over 10 years of experience in sports administration spanning policy, programme implementation, athlete development, sports science, communications and institutional development. He was already stationed in Gandhinagar in a senior management role before this elevation, overseeing SAI and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports schemes across the two states.
He has been associated with the Khelo India Scheme since its inception and was involved in the launch of the first Khelo India School Games in 2018. He has contributed to more than 10 editions of the Khelo India Games and the 36th National Games, developing systems and standard operating procedures for multidisciplinary national events.
Key Assignments and Track Record
Singh's portfolio spans some of India's most significant recent sporting milestones. He served as Sports Development Officer for Athletics, Wrestling, Hockey, Cycling, Fencing and Judo, and contributed to Indian team preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2022, the Asian Games and Asian Para Games 2023, and the Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024.
He was a key figure in establishing the Central Athlete Injury Management System (CAIMS) in 2021, aimed at strengthening injury prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation for elite and developmental athletes under the National Centre for Sports Science and Research framework. From 2022, he led SAI's Media Division, overseeing communications, marketing and publicity — including the #Cheer4India campaign during the Tokyo Olympic cycle and outreach linked to subsequent major Games.
He has also served as Officer on Special Duty to the SAI Director General and worked with the Olympic Cell on strategic initiatives connected to India's bids and preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games. His work extends to the IOC Session held in Mumbai in 2023, the National Sports Governance Act 2025, and the Khelo Bharat Niti. He also contributed to the Fit India Movement, including the Sundays on Cycle campaign.
His experience with the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Olympic Cell — including responsibilities for Priority Olympic Disciplines with high medal potential — positions him to align regional development with national podium ambitions.
Immediate Priorities in the New Role
Singh has identified implementation of the Khelo India Scheme in its new form and strengthening the overall sporting ecosystem across Gujarat and Rajasthan as his immediate priorities. A specific focus will be developing the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) Gandhinagar as a leading national centre for Para Sports, with a high-performance ecosystem and stronger pathways for Para athletes.
He also plans to develop NCOE Naranpura into a major venue for national coaching camps across disciplines by leveraging its infrastructure and location. SAI schemes are expected to be expanded to include additional disciplines such as Softball, Baseball and other emerging sports with Olympic potential, with the stated objective of broadening the talent pool and creating clearer pathways from grassroots sport to international competition.
Broader Significance
The appointment reflects SAI's continued emphasis on decentralising high-performance infrastructure and embedding experienced administrators at the regional level. Gujarat and Rajasthan together represent a substantial and historically underutilised sporting catchment, and Singh's dual background in athlete development and institutional communications is expected to aid both on-field outcomes and public engagement. How quickly the NCOE Gandhinagar Para Sports hub takes shape will be an early indicator of the region's trajectory under his leadership.
Point of View
And western India has not produced podium-level para talent at scale. Whether SAI backs this stated priority with budget and coaching resources, or whether it remains an aspirational line in an appointment brief, will be the real test. Singh's dual fluency in athlete development and institutional communications gives him an unusual profile for a regional director — useful if he can convert visibility into tangible investment for the region.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prashant Singh and what is his new role at SAI?
Prashant Singh is a sports administrator from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, with over 10 years of experience at the Sports Authority of India. He has been appointed Regional Director of the SAI Regional Centre in Gandhinagar, responsible for sports development across Gujarat and Rajasthan.
What are Prashant Singh's immediate priorities as SAI Regional Director?
Singh has identified implementation of the Khelo India Scheme in its new form and strengthening the sporting ecosystem across Gujarat and Rajasthan as immediate priorities. A specific focus is developing NCOE Gandhinagar into a national Para Sports hub with high-performance pathways for para athletes.
What is the significance of NCOE Gandhinagar under Singh's plans?
Singh intends to develop the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) Gandhinagar into a leading national centre for Para Sports, with a dedicated high-performance ecosystem. This would make it one of the few regional SAI centres with a specific para-athlete mandate.
What major events and schemes has Prashant Singh been associated with?
Singh has worked across more than 10 editions of the Khelo India Games, the 36th National Games, the Commonwealth Games 2022, the Asian Games and Asian Para Games 2023, and the Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024. He also established the Central Athlete Injury Management System (CAIMS) in 2021 and led SAI's Media Division from 2022.
Which new sports disciplines will SAI expand in Gujarat and Rajasthan?
Under Singh's leadership, SAI schemes in the region are expected to include additional disciplines such as Softball, Baseball and other emerging sports with Olympic potential. The aim is to broaden the talent pool and create clearer pathways from grassroots participation to international competition.
