The main programmes and activities of SAI consist of schemes drawn up and approved within the SAI and schemes of the Department implemented through the SAI on an agency basis.
The main schemes of the SAI are given below:
(a) National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC):
Started in 1985, this scheme attempts to identify talented school children in the age group of 9 to 12 years. Children are selected in 10 Olympic disciplines, viz., Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Wrestling through a series of tests and contests held at various levels.
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(b) Special Area Games:
This scheme, started, in 1985, aims at identifying population groups and region where natural talent and aptitude for a particular sport exists. The scheme involves a process of identification and survey of areas and regions, special competitions to assess potential, selection of promising young boys and girls and intensive training at SAG centers, where educational and vocational training facilities are also provided.
(c) Sports Projects Development Area (SPDA):
This Scheme, started in 1988, aims at providing basic sports facilities at 78 locations throughout the country, where a comprehensive and integrated system of coaching and training is provided to talented young sport persons in the age group of 9 to 14 Years.
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(d) Sports Hostel Scheme:
This scheme was introduced to provide basic facilities in each State and National level Championship. All running costs, including equipment, training etc. are provided of 50 boys and 30 girls.
(e) Boys Sports Companies in the Army:
This scheme is an extension of the N.S.T.C. scheme and was approved for implementation form the year 1991-92. SAT and Army authorities have jointly launched this Scheme to scout talented boys upto the age of J4 years from rural, semi-urban and tribal areas and train them in sports.
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Seventeen Boys Sports Companies for 2000 boys are to be set up during the VITT plan at selected Regimental Centers. The boys will be put into Regimental School which will be affiliated to the CBSE. On attaining the age of 17 years and on completion of 10th standard, the boys will be absorbed in the army, if they so which.
(f) National Coaching Scheme:
The National Scheme, which was first introduced in 1955, is meant to encourage people to take up coaching. The Scheme, over the years has undergone numerous changes and is now a source for meeting the requirements of coaches by various user agencies.
Under the Scheme, coaches are made available to Status/UTs for State coaching centers, district coaching and university field stations and also no national sports federations/associations.