international conference titled “Grassroots to Greatness: began at SAI NSNIS Patiala
International experts and academicians participating in the two-day international conference titled “Grassroots to Greatness: Talent Identification and Athlete Development” here at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) on Friday unequivocally emphasised the need for India to develop quality coaches to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of being among the top-5 sporting nations in the world by 2047.
Talking about the initiative,Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said: “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.
NSNIS Patiala is the apex national institute for sports coaching and sports science education under the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The conference saw participation from 600-plus aspiring coaches, eminent athletes, sports scientists, administrators, academicians, and students, along with 30+ renowned national and international experts, making it one of the largest knowledge-sharing platforms in the field of sports development in the country.
The conference was declared open by Hari Ranjan Rao (IAS), Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and Director General, SAI. Hari Ranjan Rao said that the Sports Ministry is “working tirelessly to create a robust sports ecosystem.”
Prof. Nenad Trunic, Dean of Faculty of Physical Education & Management in Sport (Singidunum University, Serbia), expressed his excitement to participate in the elite conference: “I would like to thank the Sports Authority of India for inviting me to this conference in Patiala, it’s a great honour for me.
Senior coaches and officials from the SAI interacted with the experts and also shared their practical experiences and strategic insights in identifying young talent, building long-term development pathways, and preparing athletes for international success.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarvjit Singh (IAS), Special Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab said: “Conferences like these are of utmost importance as it helps our coaches gain valuable knowledge about international best practices.(UPDATED ON 6TH FEB 2026)
