Mandaviya Confirms 1,191 Vacancies in Sports Authority of India, Says Recruitment Underway

By A Staff Reporter

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday informed the Lok Sabha that 1,191 posts are currently lying vacant in the Sports Authority of India (SAI), acknowledging a growing concern over staffing shortages in the country’s apex sports body. His remarks came in response to a question raised by Congress MP Adoor Prakash from Attingal, Kerala.

Mandaviya said the government had taken note of the recent Parliamentary Standing Committee report, which had described SAI as “critically under-funded and under-staffed,” affecting its ability to deliver on key training and athlete development programmes. The minister accepted that the large number of vacancies had created operational challenges but assured the House that corrective measures were underway.

“Recruitment has been initiated to fill these positions,” Mandaviya said, noting that the process would help strengthen SAI’s administrative and technical capacity. He added that the ministry is committed to ensuring that athletes receive the best possible support in the run-up to major national and international competitions.

Mandaviya emphasised that the government is working towards improving sports infrastructure, coaching quality and talent identification systems across the country. Filling the vacancies, he noted, was a crucial step in that direction, particularly as India seeks to enhance its performance in global sporting events.