**Summary:**
On July 10, 2025, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre at LNCPE, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram. The visit included the inauguration of a new Medical Centre Building, designed to enhance athlete-focused medical care, recovery facilities, and sports science support. Smt. Khadse emphasized the importance of this infrastructure in supporting athlete health and performance, integrating comprehensive care services under one roof. During the visit, Smt. Khadse also commended SAI's role in sports development, drawing a parallel between National Centres of Excellence and IITs in nation-building.
The event featured felicitations of eminent sports personalities, including Shri S. Gopinath, Shri Saji Thomas, and Smt. Omana Kumari, along with outstanding performers from SAI NCOE, such as Subha Venkatesan, Jisna Mathew, Kunja Ranjitha, Nithya Gandhe, Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha S.S., Rince Joseph, Manu T.S., Niraimathi J., and Luv Gocher.
Smt. Khadse also led a plantation drive under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0" initiative, with 1000 saplings planted across SAI STCs under the LNCPE Regional Centre to promote environmental sustainability. Key facilities, including the 300-bed Girls Hostel, sports grounds, gym, and dining halls, were inspected. Demonstrations in Kalaripayattu, Taekwondo, Yoga, and Volleyball were observed. The EKhel Pathshala initiative was reviewed, and a high-level meeting was conducted with coaches, faculty, and sports science professionals to assess current programs and priorities. The visit concluded with a stop at the Trivandrum Golf Club.
Contacts: Manish Gautam/Divyanshu Kumar (Release ID: 2143784).
Key Entities Referenced
Smt. Raksha Khadse: Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India
SAI LNCPE, Trivandrum: Sports Authority of India, Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Sports Authority of India (SAI): A leading institution in sports development in India
Dr. G. Kishore: Principal, LNCPE Regional Head, SAI RC
Rani Lakshmibai: Tribute given to Rani Lakshmibai during the ceremonial reception
Shri Saji Thomas: Arjuna Awardee and Rowing Coach, NCOE Alleppey
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0: An initiative focused on plantation drives and environmental sustainability.
EKhel Pathshala: An initiative that offers structured, online sports training at the grassroots level.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Smt. Raksha Khadse Conducts Review of SAI
LNCPE, Trivandrum; Inaugurates Medical Centre
Extension
Commended Sports Authority of India for advancing
athlete development; compares National Centres of
Excellence to IITs in their role in nation-building
Posted On: 10 JUL 2025 6:06PM by PIB Delhi
The Sports Authority of India, Regional Centre at LNCPE, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, hosted Smt.
Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. She was
welcomed by Dr. G. Kishore, Principal, LNCPE & Regional Head, SAI RC.
Smt. Khadse inaugurated the Medical Centre Building after a ceremonial reception and tribute to Rani
Lakshmibai. The new facility adds to SAI LNCPE’s capacity to deliver athlete-focused medical care and
performance support.
The formal event at the Assembly Hall began with a welcome address by Dr. Kishore and a presentation on
the Medical Centre extension by Sh. C. Dhandapani, Director, SAI RC.
Dr. Kishore also felicitated the Minister. In her address, Smt. Khadse underscored the importance of medical
infrastructure in supporting athlete health and performance. She stated that the new centre integrates medical
services, recovery facilities, and sports science, providing comprehensive care under one roof.Smt. Khadse described the Sports Authority of India as a leading institution in sports development. She noted
that this expansion enhances SAI’s ability to deliver scientific and structured support to athletes.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Sh. Ravi N.S, Director, SAI LNCPE.
A key part of the event was the felicitation of eminent Indian sports personalities:
Shri S. Gopinath IPS (Retd.) – Former Indian Volleyball International
(cid:108)
Shri Saji Thomas – Arjuna Awardee & Rowing Coach, NCOE Alleppey
(cid:108)
Smt. Omana Kumari – Arjuna Awardee and former Volleyball Player
(cid:108)
Outstanding performers from SAI NCOE were also honoured:
Subha Venkatesan, Jisna Mathew, Kunja Ranjitha – Gold in 4x400m Relay at the 26th Asian
(cid:108)
Athletics Championship 2025
Nithya Gandhe, Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha S.S. – Silver in 4x100m Relay
(cid:108)
Rince Joseph, Manu T.S. – Silver in Men’s 4x400m Relay
(cid:108)
Niraimathi J. – Bronze in Cycling at the Asian Track Cycling Championship
(cid:108)
Volleyball and Para-Taekwondo athlete Luv Gocher – Selected for international competitions
(cid:108)
The Minister also led a plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ initiative. As part of the
campaign, 1000 saplings have been planted across SAI STCs under the LNCPE Regional Centre, promoting
environmental sustainability.
The visit included an inspection of key facilities including the 300-bed Girls Hostel, sports grounds, gym, and
dining halls. The Minister observed demonstrations in Kalaripayattu, Taekwondo, Yoga, and Volleyball at the
Multipurpose Hall, showcasing the range of disciplines supported at the centre.
Smt. Khadse also reviewed the ongoing work of the E-Khel Pathshala initiative, which offers structured,
online sports training at the grassroots level. She participated in a high-level meeting with coaches, faculty,
and sports science professionals to assess current programmes and priorities.
The visit concluded with a stop at the Trivandrum Golf Club, adding a cultural dimension to a day focused on
infrastructure, training, and athlete development. This visit reinforces SAI’s role in developing sporting talent
across the southern region.
*****Manish Gautam/Divyanshu Kumar
(Release ID: 2143784)