Govt reforms selection policy to avoid charges of favouritism, legal battles

TNN | Mar 7, 2025, 09.33 AM IST
Govt reforms selection policy to avoid charges of favouritism, legal battles

NEW DELHI: The finalisation of policy/criteria for the Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games at least two years in advance, 30 days’ deadline time for submitting long list of athletes for major multisport events, redressal of grievances by sportspersons within seven days of filing of the complaint and a mandatory videography of trials, are some of the major sporting reforms that the govt has brought in “to uphold the principles of objectivity, fairness and transparency in selection process with no scope for bias”.

In a five-page document – TOI is in possession of the office order – the sports ministry has revised the norms for selection of sportspersons, coaches and support staff for participation in international events and their inclusion in coaching camps. Among other crucial changes to ensure equitable selection, are announcement of trial dates by the national sports federations (NSFs) at least 15 days in advance and minimising the number of ongoing court cases by videographing trials in the presence of a neutral observer from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The selection has to be done by a committee – constituted by the NSF – headed by high performance director/chief coach/foreign coach/former international player, Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM), who must have retired from active sports for at least four years.

“NSFs shall put in place a mechanism, where a sportsperson aggrieved by the decision of the selection committee can register his/her grievance. Grievances relating to selection should be enquired into and redressed promptly, latest by seven days of filing of the grievance. Such proceedings will be summary in nature following principles of natural justice,” stated the ministry’s order. There have been instances in the past when the sportspersons have hidden injuries and still participated in the Olympics and other big-ticket events. To minimise such instances, the ministry has directed the NSFs that “athletes selected for representing the nation in international sports events should pass the required medical check-up to demonstrate his/her physical fitness for competition”.

The ministry also specified the criteria for selection of coaches and support staff for international events and stated that “the teams of coaches, sports scientists and experts once chosen shall not normally be changed or modified, till the Olympics/Asian Games are over.”
“ Inclusion of personal coaches and support staff who have been associated with the training of athletes on a regular basis shall be considered on merit basis,” the order added.