New Delhi, 27 January (H.S.): The Sports Authority of India (SAI)'s Sports Science Division commenced a four-day specialized sports science workshop for SAI coaches involved in shooting and archery on Monday at the SAI Sports Science Division located in Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.

On this occasion, Sports Secretary and Director General of SAI, Hari Ranjan Rao, was present as the chief guest and emphasized in his inaugural address the pressing need for deep integration of sports science into daily training environments.

Rao stated, “The ministry and government will extend every possible support to sports science initiatives, but it is imperative that we invest judiciously and utilize sports science precisely to deliver outcomes. Especially in disciplines where marginal improvements can determine the difference between medals and mere participation, the role of sports science proves profoundly crucial.”

This workshop forms part of the series of coach sensitization workshops initiated in December. Similar workshops have previously been conducted for sports such as hockey, boxing, wrestling, judo, and athletics, and shooting and archery have now been incorporated into this initiative.

Rao further remarked, “Sports science plays a pivotal role in optimizing training, preventing injuries, and ensuring athletes' prolonged careers, thereby alleviating the financial burden on athletes and their families. We will further fortify sports science support nationwide by expanding the number of centers and strengthening athlete support systems in national camps and centers of excellence.”

In this workshop, sports scientists, medical experts, and performance specialists have converged with coaches on a single platform to bridge traditional coaching experience with modern methods grounded in scientific evidence. This initiative constitutes part of the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry's broader endeavor, under which regular capacity-building programs for coaches across various sport categories—combat, endurance, team, and precision disciplines—are being organized.

SAI Sports Science Division Director-cum-Principal, Brigadier (Dr.) Bibhu Kalyan Nanda, stated, “Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and the Sports Secretary have consistently emphasized encouraging coaches toward sports science, enabling the application of these principles in routine training. Such targeted efforts will bolster India's medal prospects. Our vision remains athlete-centric, coach-led, and sports science-supported.”

This specialized workshop for precision sports is reinforcing performance-oriented approaches in shooting and archery, where even minor enhancements can secure medals. The program particularly focuses on posture control, consistency, and injury prevention through biomechanics, conditioning, and stability training.Coaches are being trained in practical applications of movement analysis and core-stability-based conditioning.

Sessions have been meticulously designed so coaches can seamlessly translate scientific principles into daily training, thereby enhancing technical proficiency while mitigating injury risks.The workshop also encompasses subjects like physiology, recovery science, sports psychology, and sports medicine.

Coaches are receiving training in modules on nutrition, hydration, injury prevention, yoga-based recovery, and long-term athlete wellness, alongside sports psychology sessions centered on concentration, pressure management, and emotional equilibriums.

Additionally, advanced practical sessions on neurofeedback, visualization, wearable technology, data tracking, and AI-based performance feedback are equipping coaches with modern training and competition monitoring tools. These sessions are being conducted by leading experts from the SAI ecosystem, including specialists from IGSC New Delhi, NSSC Bengaluru, Sonipat, Kolkata, Gandhinagar, and NSNIS Patiala, along with subject experts from NRAI and other affiliated institutions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar