Equipment shortage sees SAI academies in dire situation
The Sports Authority of India's (SAI) several academies are in desperate need of equipments. SAI's various regional centers are grappling with equipment shortage and this is a major worry as far as training of athletes is concerned. Recently the Sports Ministry had started the Khelo India programme where several of these academies have to accommodate young athletes. But will the situation allow it?
According to a report in The Times of India, several centers, across India, have raised concerns regarding the shortage of equipments as well as the existing ones which are past their use-date. The administrators of these national centers have sent letters to the SAI headquarters in New Delhi. From swimming, wrestling, athletics and shooting, centers are in poor situation as young guns suffer.
The Karni Singh Shooting Range in the capital doesn't have adequate ammunition and with the national camp set to start, there is fear looming all over. Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is supposed to provide ammunition for the shooters, but the body has washed its hands off it. An official stated that NRAI has no role with respect to shooting academy.
The Swimming Academy in Bengaluru is also in a fix. The regional director claimed that the center hasn't procured swimming equipments during the last few years. With the Khelo India programme to start, there is an urgent need of equipments for things to function.
