Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Sports Authority Approves National Coach Accreditation Board for India
India is creating a new board to improve how sports coaches are trained and approved.
The board is called the National Coach Accreditation Board.
It was recommended by a group led by Pullela Gopichand.
The board will set rules for coaching and approve training institutions.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also wants India to find talented children between ages 5 and 15 more quickly.
The search would begin at district and state competitions.
Promising athletes could then receive more specialized training at sports academies.
These plans are meant to strengthen India’s sports system ahead of the 2036 Olympics.
The Sports Authority of India Governing Body approved establishing the National Coach Accreditation Board.
The board was recommended by a task force led by badminton coach Pullela Gopichand.
The National Coach Accreditation Board will set coaching standards, approve pathways, and accredit institutions.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called for faster talent identification among athletes aged 5 to 15.
The Sports Authority of India also proposed public-private partnerships and greater corporate social responsibility support for training.
- Who
- The Sports Authority of India Governing Body, chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, approved the proposal; it was recommended by a task force led by Pullela Gopichand.
- What
- The Governing Body approved establishing a National Coach Accreditation Board and discussed faster talent identification and expanded training partnerships.
- When
- The decision was reported on Thursday, August 20; the year was not specified in the article.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The measures are intended to strengthen India’s coaching and athlete-development systems in preparation for the 2036 Olympics.
- Approved body
- National Coach Accreditation Board
- Approving organization
- Sports Authority of India Governing Body
- Recommendation source
- A task force led by Pullela Gopichand
- Primary role
- Set coaching standards, approve pathways, accredit institutions, and support long-term sustainability
- Talent identification age group
- Athletes aged 5 to 15
- Proposed training model
- Public-private partnerships involving suitable sports academies
- Existing Olympic coaching route
- Diploma courses primarily offered through the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports in Patiala