Thu Jan 23 03:06:37 UTC 2025: ## India Aims to Cultivate Homegrown Coaches for 2036 Olympic Bid

**New Delhi:** Facing a critical shortage of high-quality Indian coaches, the Indian government is launching a new initiative to bolster its sporting prowess ahead of the 2036 Olympic Games bid. Currently, India heavily relies on foreign coaches across various sports, a situation the Sports Ministry aims to rectify.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with National Sports Federation officials on Tuesday to address this gap. The ministry plans to introduce a program modeled after the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), but focused on developing a large pool of Indian coaches and support staff. This program will fund training, overseas coaching opportunities, and attendance at international seminars for aspiring Indian coaches.

“Indian coaches are needed at all levels,” said a ministry official. “This requires enough quality Indian coaches trained in modern methods and holding international certifications.” The program will begin as a pilot project.

The initiative aims to address concerns about the quality of coaching, with officials noting that basic coaches are insufficient for elite athletes. Federations have also been urged to leverage existing programs like the Human Resource Development scheme, which offers financial assistance for training and workshops.

The wide salary disparity between Indian and foreign coaches was also raised as a concern. The ministry will encourage recently retired international athletes working with government departments to transition into coaching roles. This multi-pronged approach signifies India’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and improving its medal prospects in future Olympics.

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