Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, visited SAI Trivandrum, inaugurating a new medical centre and reviewing key sports infrastructure. She honored top athletes, led a plantation drive, and emphasized integrated sports science support, strengthening India’s athletic development initiatives in the southern region.
The Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre at LNCPE, Thiruvananthapuram, on Thursday. During her visit, she conducted a detailed review of the facilities and inaugurated the newly extended Medical Centre Building, a crucial addition to the campus.
The Minister was welcomed ceremonially by Dr. G. Kishore, Principal of LNCPE and Regional Head of the SAI Centre, alongside faculty members, coaches, and athletes. The occasion began with a tribute to Rani Lakshmibai, honoring the legacy of bravery and inspiration for women in India.
The formal programme at the Assembly Hall opened with a welcome address by Dr. Kishore, followed by a detailed presentation on the new medical centre by C. Dhandapani, Director, SAI RC. The new centre is designed to provide integrated medical services, including recovery therapy, sports science consultation, and injury management – all under one roof.
In her address, MoS Khadse emphasized the pivotal role of medical infrastructure in nurturing high-performance athletes. She remarked, “Sports excellence can only be achieved when we prioritize the health and recovery of our athletes. This medical centre reflects our commitment to providing structured, scientific support to athletes at all levels.”
She described SAI as a leading national institution in sports development and reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to grassroots and elite sports training alike. Dr. Kishore also felicitated the Minister for her continued support of SAI’s mission.
A highlight of the event was the felicitation of eminent Indian sports personalities, including:
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S. Gopinath, IPS (Retd.) – Former international volleyball player
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Saji Thomas – Arjuna Awardee and Rowing Coach, NCOE Alleppey
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Omana Kumari – Arjuna Awardee and former volleyball player
SAI took the opportunity to honour outstanding performers from the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), celebrating their achievements at the 26th Asian Athletics Championship 2025:
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Subha Venkatesan, Jisna Mathew, Kunja Ranjitha – Gold medalists in 4x400m relay
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Nithya Gandhe, Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha S.S. – Silver in 4x100m relay
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Rince Joseph, Manu T.S. – Silver in Men’s 4x400m relay
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Niraimathi J. – Bronze in Cycling at the Asian Track Cycling Championship
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Luv Gocher – Para-Taekwondo athlete selected for international competitions
The Minister also led a plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign, encouraging environmental stewardship. Under this initiative, over 1,000 saplings have already been planted across SAI STCs under LNCPE.
She toured the major facilities including the 300-bed girls’ hostel, gymnasium, sports grounds, and dining halls, gaining insights into the residential and training ecosystem that supports athlete development. Demonstrations in traditional and modern disciplines such as Kalaripayattu, Taekwondo, Yoga, and Volleyball were held at the Multipurpose Hall, reflecting the diversity of the training offered.
Minister Khadse also reviewed the E-Khel Pathshala initiative, a digital grassroots training platform. She held a meeting with coaches, academic faculty, and sports scientists to review programme implementation, coaching methodologies, and athlete feedback mechanisms.
The day concluded with a brief cultural visit to the Trivandrum Golf Club, underscoring the holistic approach of the Ministry—integrating sport, culture, and education.
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Through her visit, MoS Raksha Khadse reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to scientific athlete development, infrastructure strengthening, and environmental responsibility, reinforcing SAI Trivandrum’s pivotal role in nurturing India’s future sports champions.
