New Delhi, April 24 (HS): Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, launched the issuance of sports certificates via DigiLocker at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, following the inauguration of the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) at the same venue. Addressing attendees, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the government’s commitment to athlete welfare, asserting that all sports initiatives by the Modi Government are focused on athletes. He referenced significant policy drafts, including the National Sports Governance Bill 2024 and the National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025, highlighting the government’s dedication to transparency and good governance within the Indian sports ecosystem.
The minister announced that sports certificates issued through DigiLocker will soon be linked to the National Sports Repository System (NSRS), allowing automatic government cash rewards to be deposited directly into athletes’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This change aims to streamline the process, removing the need for paper applications, thus ensuring that athletes receive their deserved rewards seamlessly after winning medals in international competitions.
Looking ahead, Dr. Mandaviya outlined plans for supporting India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics and reiterated interest in hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030, highlighting a comprehensive roadmap to enhance India’s presence in global sports.
The Union Minister has called on National Sports Federations (NSFs) to emphasize good governance and athlete welfare, urging a collective effort among athletes, federations, and the Government to enhance the sports ecosystem. To support this initiative, he announced that office space at IG Stadium in Delhi will be available for interested NSFs.
Additionally, Dr. Mandaviya introduced the upcoming ‘One Sport–One Corporate’ policy, designed to facilitate federation collaboration and attract financial backing for sports development. He also mentioned plans to establish Olympic training centres for high-priority sports disciplines through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
During the inauguration of the NCSSR, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted that the Centre will be a hub for advanced research, education, and innovation to improve elite athlete performance, instrumental in realizing India’s long-term sporting vision under Viksit Bharat by 2047. He encouraged collective efforts to cultivate a robust sports culture for a new India.
Olympic silver medallist and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardee Mirabai Chanu praised the government’s initiative, emphasizing that the issuance of sports certificates via DigiLocker will alleviate pressure on athletes needing documents for jobs or visas, expressing gratitude to the Sports Minister on behalf of her fellow sportspersons.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
