Developing good coaches is as important as nurturing talent, say international experts
Patiala: International experts and academicians participating in the two-day international conference titled “Grassroots to Greatness: Talent Identification and Athlete Development” at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala, on Friday unanimously emphasised the need for India to develop quality coaches to fulfil Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of becoming one of the top five sporting nations in the world by 2047.
The two-day conference, hosted by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at NSNIS Patiala, witnessed the participation of over 600 aspiring coaches, eminent athletes, sports scientists, administrators, academicians, and students, along with more than 30 renowned national and international experts, making it one of the largest sports knowledge-sharing platforms in the country.
“We are proud to host the 2nd International Conference on ‘Grassroots to Greatness – Talent Identification & Athlete Development’, continuing our commitment to sports excellence. India aims to become a global sports powerhouse. Initiatives like Khelo India are creating pathways for young athletes. Our focus is on grassroots development, sports infrastructure, and leveraging technology for athlete success.”
— Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted that the conference serves as a vital platform for global experts to share best practices in talent identification, long-term athlete development (LTAD), and the integration of sports science to enhance athlete performance.
NSNIS Patiala, the apex national institute for sports coaching and sports science education under SAI, continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s coaching ecosystem and athlete development framework.
“The Sports Ministry is working tirelessly to create a robust sports ecosystem in the country.”
— Hari Ranjan Rao (IAS), Secretary (Sports), MYAS & Director General, SAI
Prof. Nenad Trunic, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education & Management in Sport at Singidunum University, Serbia, expressed his enthusiasm about being part of the conference and praised the initiative for fostering meaningful knowledge exchange between international experts and Indian coaches.
“It is a great opportunity for all of us to exchange ideas and provide solutions to the challenges faced by Indian coaches.”
— Prof. Nenad Trunic
Emphasising the importance of coach education, FIBA basketball coach Richard Lee Brooks, who also coaches the Slovakia youth national team, stated that nurturing talent effectively depends largely on how well coaches are trained and guided.
“One child may have innate talent, but how you nurture and guide them is what ultimately fetches medals. Teaching coaches how to teach is critical, and conferences like these offer invaluable insights.”
— Richard Lee Brooks
Other prominent international experts at the conference included Farruh Ahmedov, Dr. Pinar Yaprak, Prof. Dr. Hanno Felder, and Dr. Martin Toms, who shared their expertise on athlete development, sports science, and global coaching practices.
Established on May 7, 1961, NSNIS Patiala is Asia’s largest sports institute, spread across 268 acres. The institute has produced 17 Padma Shri awardees, 12 Dronacharya Award recipients, 17 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees, and 175 Arjuna Award winners since its inception.
“Conferences like ‘Grassroots to Greatness’ are crucial for shaping the next generation of coaches who will identify talent and support India’s rise on the global sporting stage.”
— Dr. Martin Toms
Senior SAI coaches and officials actively interacted with the experts, sharing practical experiences and strategies on talent identification, long-term development pathways, and preparing athletes for international success.
“Our sports budget has tripled to nearly Rs 1000 crore. We are upgrading village-level playgrounds and significantly increasing the number of coaches, reflecting the state’s strong commitment to sports development.”
— Sarvjit Singh (IAS), Special Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab