The flagship annual calendar for training and competition (ACTC) plan for four years, hosting of international competitions and conducting national leagues for player identification and development were some of the talking points of the meeting between the sports minister and the National Sports Federations (NSFs) in New Delhi on Tuesday. And, of course, the NSFs rating system. The rating, however, includes not just performance of players or athletes, it’s about the overall health of a federation that includes good governance, transparency, election processes and all those points that are listed out in the National Sports Development Code of India (2011).

After the Paris Olympics setback where India could not match Tokyo in terms of medals won, the sports ministry sat down for a brain-storming session with all the recognized NSFs, five days after a meeting with around 40 corporate houses. As reported by this newspaper, the sports minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, called for the meeting and spoke to the recognized NSFs where some radical ideas were discussed to usher in change — more to do with transparency and accountability to enhance performance. He has also called for another meeting in three months, this time it will be for two days where NSFs will get time to put across their ideas.

The minister said the LA2028 would be the urgent priority followed by the other subsequent Olympics. This also includes building for the 2036 Olympics, which India is keen to host. One such point discussed was a four-year plan – Olympic cycle for each sport.