Sports Authority of India has a small but magnificent campus in Bangalore on Mysore road more precisely close to the Rajarajeshwari Arch.It is located adjacent to the Bangalore University campus and has two entries one from the Bangalore University and the other from RR Arch side.
SAI as it is called came up in its present location in 1980 and has served the sporting community well and like most Government campuses is a well organised set-up.It has definitely contributed to the growth and sustenance of Sporting activities in the country.
Sometime back I had a fairly long meeting with the then director Mr.Ramachandran simply talking about sport on various fronts. Players and coaches from across the country can be seen here in every possible sport and academic training in sports is provided.
When one enters the campus from the Bangalore University side there is large ground on the right with jogging tracks and attractive forest area in the background and a Golf course adjacent to it and a sports traning campus on the left and further ahead is a Swimming pool on the left and note that a rivulet passes through the campus.There are many hostels and residential facilities close by and even further to the right is the main Administrative block with an auditorium.
The setting up of such an institute shows beyond doubt that Sporting is an important activity in India and the thrust given by such places helps in the development of sports and human potential.