MoS Raksha Khadse reviews SAI Kolkata centre, pledges grassroots sports push
Synopsis
Union MoS Raksha Khadse toured the SAI Regional Centre in Kolkata on 17 September, inspecting hockey, gymnastics, archery, and a new 300-bed Khelo India hostel — and sat down with Olympians Soma Biswas and Poulami Ghatak. Her pledge of continued SAI support signals a deliberate push to turn West Bengal's talent pool into a national pipeline.
Key Takeaways
MoS Raksha Khadse visited the SAI Regional Centre, Salt Lake, Kolkata on 17 September 2026 .
She inspected hockey, gymnastics, table tennis, archery and athletics facilities and met coaches and athletes.
The newly developed 300-bed Khelo India hostel was reviewed for accommodation and support infrastructure.
Olympians Soma Biswas and Poulami Ghatak attended the interaction alongside senior SAI officials.
Khadse stressed integrating sports science with coaching and pledged continued SAI support for grassroots pathways in West Bengal .
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on Thursday, 17 September visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre in Salt Lake, Kolkata, conducting a comprehensive review of sports infrastructure, athlete development programmes, and support systems. The Minister interacted directly with coaches, athletes, and senior SAI officials during her tour of the facility.
Tribute and Facility Inspections
Khadse began the visit by paying a floral tribute at the Netaji Subhash Bust at the centre before proceeding to inspect the hockey facilities. She spoke with trainees and coaches to assess their training requirements, available infrastructure, and competitive needs. She subsequently toured the indoor gymnastics and table tennis facilities, engaging with athletes and coaching staff at each stop.
Sports Science at the Centre of the Agenda
A significant portion of the visit was devoted to the Sports Science Department, where Khadse reviewed the department's role in athlete conditioning, recovery, and performance enhancement. She stressed the importance of integrating scientific support with coaching and ensuring regular competition exposure — a focus that reflects the Centre's broader push to professionalise grassroots sporting infrastructure. The Minister also inspected the newly developed 300-bed Khelo India hostel, reviewing accommodation and support systems being put in place for resident athletes.
Key Officials and Olympians in Attendance
The interaction was attended by SAI Kolkata Regional Director Sibananda Mishra, Olympians Soma Biswas and Poulami Ghatak, MY Bharat Regional Director Dev Kumar Chatterjee, and members of the Indian women's rugby team. The presence of decorated Olympians underscored the event's emphasis on mentorship and continuity between elite achievement and grassroots development.
Archery, Athletics, and the Review Meeting
Khadse also visited the archery and athletics facilities before chairing a formal review meeting with SAI officials, covering athlete development, infrastructure, coaching quality, sports science integration, and broader support systems.
Assurance of Continued SAI Support
During the review meeting, Khadse assured continued SAI backing to strengthen grassroots sporting pathways and help young athletes progress to higher levels of competition. She highlighted West Bengal's established sporting culture and deep talent pool, noting that access to quality infrastructure, scientific training, and regular competition exposure would be critical to enabling young athletes to pursue excellence. With the Khelo India hostel now operational and sports science integration underway, the SAI centre in Kolkata is positioning itself as a stronger feeder hub for national-level programmes.
Point of View
But the Kolkata stop carries contextual weight: West Bengal has historically produced talent in football, athletics, and table tennis while struggling with institutional follow-through at the grassroots level. Khadse's emphasis on integrating sports science with coaching is directionally sound, but the gap between ministerial assurance and on-ground resource allocation remains the chronic weak link in Indian sports administration. The 300-bed Khelo India hostel is a concrete deliverable worth tracking — whether it reaches full occupancy with athletes in structured programmes, or becomes another underutilised asset, will be the real measure of this visit's impact.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did MoS Raksha Khadse do during her Kolkata SAI visit?
Khadse toured the SAI Regional Centre in Salt Lake, Kolkata on 17 September, inspecting hockey, gymnastics, table tennis, archery, and athletics facilities, reviewing the Sports Science Department, and chairing a review meeting with SAI officials. She also inspected the newly built 300-bed Khelo India hostel.
What is the Khelo India hostel in Kolkata?
It is a newly developed 300-bed residential facility at the SAI Regional Centre in Salt Lake, Kolkata, built to house athletes undergoing training at the centre. Khadse reviewed the accommodation and support infrastructure during her visit on 17 September.
Which Olympians attended the SAI Kolkata interaction?
Olympians Soma Biswas and Poulami Ghatak were present at the interaction, alongside SAI Kolkata Regional Director Sibananda Mishra, MY Bharat Regional Director Dev Kumar Chatterjee, and members of the Indian women's rugby team.
Why did Khadse emphasise sports science during the visit?
Khadse stressed that integrating scientific support — covering conditioning, recovery, and performance enhancement — with coaching and regular competition exposure is essential to helping athletes reach their potential. The focus reflects the government's broader push to professionalise athlete development at regional SAI centres.
What is the significance of this visit for West Bengal sports?
The visit signals continued central government attention to West Bengal's sporting ecosystem, which has an established culture and talent pool but has needed stronger infrastructure and scientific training support. Khadse's assurance of sustained SAI backing aims to create clearer pathways for young athletes from the state to progress to national-level competition.
