Chandigarh (Naval Kishore)— In a major initiative to modernize the city’s sports ecosystem, Chandigarh hosted a first-of-its-kind capacity-building workshop for coaches on Friday, March 13, 2026. Titled “The High-Performance Coaching Blueprint: Science, Systems and Sustainable Sporting Success,” the event was held at the Sector-42 Sports Complex and aimed to integrate scientific methodology into daily athlete training.
The workshop was conceptualized by the Chandigarh Institute for Transformation (CIT) under the State Support Mission of NITI Aayog and executed by the Sports Department of the Chandigarh Administration. The initiative is a direct implementation of the Chandigarh Sports Policy 2023, which mandates a transition toward a more structured and evidence-based approach to sports development.
Bridging the Gap: Science Meets the Field
Leading figures in sports medicine and high-performance training delivered technical sessions designed to move coaching beyond traditional methods:
- Dr. Manjit Singh Thind (Director, Punjab Sports Medicine Services): Focused on recovery management and the clinical aspects of keeping athletes at peak performance levels.
- Dr. Wazir Singh Phogat (High-Performance Director for Athletics, SAI): Discussed the integration of performance monitoring and training load management into standard coaching routines.
Core Training Pillars
The sessions provided coaches with a deep dive into four critical areas:
- Sports Nutrition: Fueling athletes for high-intensity training and competition.
- Injury Prevention: Utilizing scientific screening to reduce physical downtime.
- Performance Monitoring: Using data to track athlete growth and maturation.
- Sustainable Success: Emphasizing long-term well-being over short-term gains to ensure athletes have longer, healthier careers.
A Call for Continuous Learning
The workshop saw active participation from coaches across multiple disciplines. Attendees highlighted the necessity of such programs to keep pace with global sports standards. Many expressed a strong desire for regular interactions with national-level experts to refine their local training programs.
By equipping local coaches with the tools of sports science, the Chandigarh Administration aims to elevate the quality of talent emerging from the Union Territory, positioning it as a hub for high-performance sports in India.
