Sports Ministry Directs SAI to Frame SOP

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing the organisation and management of international sports events hosted in the country.

The direction was issued after lapses were reported in the India Open badminton tournament, held from 13 to 18 January, 2026, in Delhi, which drew criticism regarding venue maintenance and overall event management.

As per media reports, the direction to frame an SOP was issued after a review meeting was conducted between the Sports Minister and officials of the Sports Authority of India. The meeting was conducted to examine certain circumstances that led to reported lapses and to consider measures required to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As noted in media reports, “The aim is to ensure that universal standards are met. The focus of the SOP would be venue cleanliness and security, accessibility, and maintenance of utilities so that neither the athletes nor the fans have any unpleasant experience.”

It has also been indicated that the ministry might adopt a more proactive supervisory role in the planning and execution of major sporting events in the country. Generally, the Ministry’s involvement has largely been limited to providing financial assistance to national sports federations organising international competitions. However, the recent incident has prompted discussions on greater oversight during the preparatory stage of such events.

Majorly, there has been a lot of emphasis on this as the government pushes to host the 2036 Olympic Games, during which the country’s sporting infrastructure and event management will come under global scrutiny.

Once the SOP is finalised, it is expected to introduce greater institutional accountability and uniform operational standards in the conduct of international sporting events in India.