New Delhi : Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, addressed the All-Women Coaches Course organized by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) as part of the ACE 2032 initiative at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association Tennis Stadium. She emphasized the importance of enhancing opportunities for women in sports, advocating for increased participation from grassroots levels to high-performance roles.
The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India, aims to strengthen the connections between coach education, talent identification, and elite training. Khadse highlighted that India’s aspiration to become a leading sporting nation hinges on early talent identification and ensuring women and girls have access to qualified coaching and infrastructure. She noted that sporting talent is present across various communities and stressed the need for broader participation to enhance India’s competitive prospects. The discussions also focused on the ASMITA women’s leagues under the Khelo India framework, which have successfully engaged over three lakh women since their launch in 2021, promoting organized sports participation. The course aimed to increase the number of qualified women coaches and improve access to coaching education. Participants discussed the significance of practical training, mentorship, and ongoing professional development in preparing coaches for competitive demands. Insights shared by regional representatives underscored the necessity of tailored coaching and fitness programs that cater to athletes at different developmental stages. The course also highlighted the expanding professional opportunities in sports, advocating for equipping more women with the necessary skills to enter and excel in various roles within the sports sector. The discussions reinforced the importance of creating safe sporting environments and ensuring athlete welfare, with a collective responsibility among coaches and governing bodies to maintain high standards of safety and conduct. The All-Women Coaches Course under the AITA ACE 2032 initiative represents a broader commitment to enhancing women’s participation and leadership in Indian sports, aiming to contribute to the nation’s sporting goals for 2036 and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
