What Did Union Sports Minister Mandaviya Announce at the HPC Inauguration?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The High Performance Centre aims to enhance athlete training in India.
- It will feature state-of-the-art facilities for various sports sciences.
- The project is backed by significant CSR funding from HAL.
- It represents a shift towards a high-performance sports culture in India.
- Completion of the centre will support India's preparation for global sporting events.
The Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday held a virtual event to officially inaugurate the foundation stone laying for a cutting-edge High Performance Centre (HPC) at the Sports Authority of India’s Netaji Subhas Southern Centre (NSSC) in Bengaluru.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, SAI, and HAL participated in the virtual ceremony, along with distinguished athletes, coaches, and experts in sports science.
The planned High Performance Centre comes with a total investment of Rs 75 crore, of which Rs 60 crore is provided through CSR support from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This initiative aims to enhance India's elite athlete preparation framework by offering integrated, top-notch sports science and support facilities all in one location, as stated by the ministry.
Upon completion, the HPC will feature advanced amenities for sports medicine, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation and recovery, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, nutrition, performance analysis, and hydrotherapy, thus facilitating a comprehensive, scientific, and data-centric approach to elite athlete training.
During his address, Mandaviya underlined that this Centre signifies India's transition from a focus on participation to becoming a podium-driven, high-performance sports nation. He highlighted that under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the principle of "reform, perform, and transform" is revolutionizing India's sports landscape.
“This High Performance Centre will ensure that training and recovery are informed by science and technology, allowing our athletes to compete and achieve excellence on the international stage,” the minister remarked.
Mandaviya also praised HAL for its substantial CSR contribution, describing the collaboration as a prominent example of public sector entities aiding national development through sports. “An organization that aids national defense is now contributing to India's sporting success,” he noted.
He also acknowledged the legacy of SAI NSSC Bengaluru as a premier sports hub, which continues to host National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), national coaching camps, and elite athlete training programs across various sports.
The proposed HPC is anticipated to significantly contribute to India’s preparations for major international sports events and aligns with the nation’s long-term vision of becoming a global sports powerhouse, including aspirations to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
The event began with a welcome speech by Vishnu Kant Tiwari, Secretary of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). D. K. Sunil, Chairman & Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), expressed his pride in supporting India’s journey towards becoming a global sports force.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports) and Director General of SAI.