In a move to recognise the achievements of India’s sporting heroes, the Sports Authority of India has decided to employ Olympians and Paralympians as coaches and assistant coaches at its various National Centers of Excellence.

The employment process, already underway, creates vacancies for 23 assistant coaches and 4 coaches. Olympians and Paraolympians are eligible to apply as assistant coaches and medal winners can directly apply for the position of coaches which is a Group A position .

To ensure that athletes who are still in active participants in sporting competitions can continue with their sporting career, Olympians and Paralympians appointed as coaches would be allowed to continue their sports training as long as they are active sportspersons and maintain desired performance at the international level.

The selected coaches will also need to pursue the Diploma in Sports Coaching conducted by NSNIS Patiala, if they have already not taken the course previously.

Speaking about the decision, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri. Kiren Rijiju said, “It is a constant endeavour of the Sports Ministry and SAI to recognise the achivements of our sporting heroes, as well as to ensure that they lead a life of dignity and comfort. This decision to employ Olympians and Paralympians is the Government’s way of appreciating their service to the nation, as well as to attract the best talent from the world of sport to coaching. Coaches are the backbone of the sporting ecosystem and we need to employ the best sportspersons as coaches also.”