The Sports Authority of India (SAI) plans to hold franchise-based ‘professional national leagues’ for youth and development purposes in the very thriving sports disciplines. The ministry is organizing a National Sports League in around 12 sports. In these leagues, private industrial companies will field their teams like any other league. Foreign players, however, will not participate in the National Sports League.
Local Indian players will be allowed to play in these leagues. According to Ministry sources, the National Sports League is to be held in collaboration with SAI and national sports associations. Sports like Kabaddi, Hockey, and Table Tennis will remain the same where leagues are already running. Those sports where due to funding issues leagues are not happening or have been closed will be included in these newly formed leagues.
It is informed that the sports have not been finalized yet but shall be finalized post-discussions with sports associations. Ministry feels that there can be a league in about 12 sports. Keeping forward, the league’s purpose will be to promote the developing talent in view of the Olympic Games 2036. Again, only one league will be conducted in one sports association; it will not happen that the sports association organizes its own league and the ministry organizes a separate league.
While a date isn’t decided yet, there is a lot of planning and identification of sports involved at more advanced stages and there will be further details when the time comes. The ministry thinks this will be a game-changer for the country which is planning to host the Olympics in 2036.
It has not been disclosed that for which sports, the ministry is targeting in creating the league. Most likely, this would happen pretty soon. According to sources, the so-called ‘Letter of Intent’ that was sent by the Indian Olympic Association to the International Olympic Committee was not for any particular city but for the whole country about hosting of 2036 event. Speculations are that if India is granted permission to host the Games, Ahmedabad will host the 2036 Olympic Games.
