Mandaviya launches DigiLocker sports certificates, highlights major athlete-centric reforms

Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, on Thursday launched the issuance of sports certificates through DigiLocker, in a move aimed at digitally empowering athletes. The launch event took place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. Earlier in the day, Dr. Mandaviya also inaugurated the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) at the same venue. The NCSSR is envisioned as a hub for high-level research and innovation to enhance elite athlete performance.

Dr. Mandaviya highlighted recent developments such as the Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024, the Draft National Sports Policy 2024, and the Draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025 as key efforts toward transparency and good governance in sports.

The new DigiLocker-based certificate issuance will be integrated with the National Sports Repository System (NSRS), enabling automatic disbursal of cash rewards to athletes via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). “When the world has witnessed an athlete win a medal, they shouldn’t have to apply for their reward. This system ensures they receive what they deserve without delay or paperwork,” Dr. Mandaviya added.

He also outlined India’s future sporting ambitions, including bids to host the 2036 Olympic Games and the 2030 Commonwealth Games. He urged National Sports Federations (NSFs) to prioritize athlete welfare and called for joint responsibility between federations, athletes, and the government to build a strong sports ecosystem.

Additional initiatives announced included office space for NSFs at IG Stadium, a proposed ‘One Sport–One Corporate’ policy to increase private sector support, and Olympic training centres under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu welcomed the DigiLocker initiative, calling it a “stress-reliever” for athletes, especially during travel.

MT