Sports Ministry revises guidelines for appointing observers

With an aim to promote fair play in the selection of teams and enhance the performance of athletes and coaches, the Sports Ministry has revised the guidelines for appointment of government observers for various sporting disciplines.

The observers will keep the government informed about fair play in the selection of teams, performance of teams at international level, training of sub-junior and junior level athletes and performance of Indian and foreign coaches.

“They will also study the infrastructural gaps at national coaching camps and play an important role in preparation of Annual Calendar of Training and Competitions (ACTC). In addition, they will provide technical advice to Sports Authority of India and will maintain data on individual athletes and coaches,” a release from Sports Ministry stated.

The Ministry has decided to appoint observers for High priority/priority category sports disciplines initially.

“Each sports discipline will be provided one male and one female Government Observers. Foreigners may also be considered for such appointment.

“The government observers will be appointed through open advertisements. They will not be paid regular salary, but honorarium for their work which will be dependent on number of their visits to national coaching camps etc. Thus, establishing a direct relationship between their work and payment,” the release said.