Patiala, Feb 6 (NationPress) During the two-day international conference titled “Grassroots to Greatness: Talent Identification and Athlete Development” at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), international experts and scholars stressed the critical need for India to cultivate high-caliber coaches to fulfill Prime Minister Modi's vision of positioning the nation among the top-5 sporting countries globally by 2047.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, stated, “We take pride in hosting the 2nd International Conference on 'Grassroots to Greatness' - focusing on Talent Identification & Athlete Development, reaffirming our commitment to sports excellence. India aspires to emerge as a global sports powerhouse. Initiatives like Khelo India are paving the way for young athletes. Our emphasis is on grassroots development, enhancing sports infrastructure, and utilizing technology for athlete success. This conference unites global experts to exchange best practices in talent identification, LTAD, and sports science integration.”

The NSNIS Patiala serves as the premier national institute for sports coaching and sports science education under the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The event attracted over 600 aspiring coaches, esteemed athletes, sports scientists, administrators, educators, and students, along with more than 30 renowned national and international experts, establishing it as one of the largest platforms for knowledge-sharing in sports development nationwide.

The conference was inaugurated by Hari Ranjan Rao (IAS), Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and Director General, SAI. He highlighted that the Sports Ministry is “dedicatedly working to create a robust sports ecosystem.”

Prof. Nenad Trunic, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education & Management in Sport (Singidunum University, Serbia), expressed his enthusiasm for participating in this prestigious conference: “I thank the Sports Authority of India for inviting me to this event in Patiala; it is a significant honor. It provides a valuable opportunity for all of us to share insights, exchange ideas with aspiring coaches, students, and athletes entering the coaching field, and address the challenges faced by Indian coaches.”

FIBA basketball coach Richard Lee Brooks, who also serves as the youth coach for the Slovakia national team, emphasized the importance of upskilling coaches rather than just scouting for talent. He stated, “A child may possess innate talent, but how they are nurtured and guided is essential for securing medals at the international level.”

“My experience involved coaching national teams and often working with youth teams, which we essentially built from the ground up. Teaching coaches how to instruct and welcoming kids into the sport is crucial. Indian basketball is making strides, but there’s a long journey ahead. This is why international conferences like this are invaluable, as they provide insights previously unknown,” Brooks shared with SAI Media.

Other distinguished experts at the conference included Farruh Ahmedov (Head of Scientific Department, Samarkand State University), Dr. Pinar Yaprak (Assistant Professor, Türkiye), Prof. Dr. Hanno Felder (Acting Director, Olympic Training Center), and Dr. Martin Toms (Associate Professor of Global Sport Education & Coaching, Birmingham University, UK).

Established on May 7, 1961, the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports is Asia's largest sports institute, spanning 268 acres in Patiala. Since its inception, the institute has produced 17 Padma Shri, 12 Dronacharya, 17 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and 175 Arjuna awardees.

“Patiala has become my second home over the last 15 years, and witnessing the advancements here is remarkable. Conferences like 'Grassroots to Greatness' are vital. Understanding the processes behind developing champions is key to supporting any Indian athlete at any level. The best part is that we have trainees here who will become the next generation of coaches, crucial for identifying talented athletes. We all aspire for India to lead the medals tally,” stated Martin Toms to SAI Media.

Senior coaches and officials from SAI engaged with the experts, sharing their practical experiences and strategies for identifying young talent, establishing long-term development pathways, and preparing athletes for international success.

On this occasion, Sarvjit Singh (IAS), Special Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, remarked, “Conferences like these hold immense significance as they enable our coaches to acquire valuable knowledge about international best practices. The Punjab Government's sports budget has surged from Rs 250-300 Crore to nearly Rs 1000 Crore. We are enhancing about 3000 existing playgrounds at village panchayat levels with proper grass turf, irrigation systems, toilets, and changing rooms. Additionally, the number of coaches has multiplied sevenfold, from 350 to around 2300, with exceptional coaches receiving immediate government positions, highlighting the State Government's commitment to sports development.”