Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme - Gymnastics
by Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Stipend, kit, coaching, exposure
SAI scheme that scouts and trains gymnastics talent aged 12 to 18 from tribal, rural, hilly, and coastal areas with stipend, kit, coaching, and competition exposure.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Duration
Long-term, multi-year training pathway under SAI
Format
Individual
Time needed
Daily training at the SAG Centre as per the SAI training calendar
Eligibility
- Age range
- 12 to 18 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Prerequisites
- Natural physical aptitude for gymnastics
- Clearance of selection trial conducted by the concerned SAI Regional Centre
- Assessment by SAI coaches, former sports persons, and sports scientists at the special coaching camp
Children aged 12 to 18 with natural aptitude for gymnastics, primarily from tribal, rural, hilly, and coastal regions of India. Age criteria can be relaxed in exceptional cases. Selection through trials and assessment camps conducted by SAI Regional Centres.
Know in seconds if your child qualifies.
The app checks eligibility for you.
Rewards and recognition
Award
₹6,000 annual stipend
Non-residential trainees receive a stipend of ₹6,000 per year (₹500 per month).
Career pathways
Long-term training under SAI coaches with structured pathway to district, state, national, and international gymnastics competitions.
Recognition
SAI national talent pathway
Skills your child builds
How to apply
- 1Track selection trial announcements from the concerned SAI Regional Centre
- 2Appear for the selection trial at the announced venue
- 3Clear the assessment at the special coaching camp under SAI coaches and sports scientists
- 4On selection, get admitted to a SAG Centre as a residential or non-residential trainee
About this opportunity
The Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme of the Sports Authority of India is a long-term sports promotion programme that identifies and trains young sports talent from tribal, rural, hilly, and coastal regions of India. Gymnastics is one of the 26 disciplines covered under the scheme, alongside Olympic disciplines such as athletics, swimming, wrestling, and shooting.
The main objective is to nurture meritorious sports persons in the age group of 12 to 18 years, with age criteria relaxed in exceptional cases, and develop them into national and international level performers through scientific training. Selected trainees are admitted to SAG Centres after preliminary trials and assessment camps supervised by SAI coaches, former sports persons, and sports scientists.
Trainees can be inducted as residential or non-residential and receive boarding and lodging, sports kit, equipment, expert coaching, education support, medical and accidental insurance, competition exposure within India and abroad, and a stipend per the scheme norms. Twenty SAG Centres operate across fourteen states, with Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Manipur, and Odisha each hosting two centres, and currently support 1,676 trainees nationwide.
Selection trials are organised by the concerned SAI Regional Centres with public notice; interested candidates can contact their regional SAI office for trial schedules.
What your child will do
- Daily gymnastics training at the SAG Centre
- Strength, flexibility, and conditioning sessions
- Periodic SAI fitness and performance assessments
- Participation in district, state, national, and international gymnastics competitions
Mentors & faculty
SAI-empanelled gymnastics coaches, former sports persons, and SAI sports scientists.
Languages
Frequently asked questions
What is the eligible age range for the SAG Gymnastics scheme?
The Special Area Games scheme trains sports persons aged 12 to 18 years, with age criteria relaxed only in exceptional cases. Candidates from tribal, rural, hilly, and coastal regions of India are particularly encouraged to apply.
Is there a fee to join the SAG scheme?
There is no fee for selected trainees. SAI provides boarding, lodging, sports kit, coaching, education support, medical and insurance cover, and a stipend as per the scheme norms.
How are trainees selected?
Selection trials are conducted by the concerned SAI Regional Centres. Shortlisted candidates undergo assessment at a special coaching camp supervised by SAI coaches, former sports persons, and sports scientists before admission to a SAG Centre.
What financial support do trainees receive?
Non-residential trainees receive a yearly stipend of ₹6,000, a sports kit of ₹4,000, competition exposure support of ₹3,000, and accidental insurance of ₹150. Residential trainees additionally receive boarding and lodging at ₹175 per day (₹200 per day in hilly areas) for 330 days and a sports kit of ₹12,000 per year.
Where can interested candidates get trial schedules?
Candidates can contact their concerned SAI Regional Centre or watch announcements on the official Sports Authority of India website for trial schedules.
Is this the right fit for your child?
Your child is not a list entry. WiWit matches opportunities to who they already are.
Share with other parents
Categories
WiWit
Never miss the right opportunities for your child
The WiWit app shows you only the ones that fit your child.
- Matched to your child's grade, age, and interests
- Deadline reminders so you never miss registration
- Every opportunity verified before it's listed
Related opportunities
Madhya Pradesh State Water Sports Academy of Excellence (Sailing, Rowing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Slalom)
by Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh (DSYW)
State government academy in Bhopal training selected young athletes in sailing, rowing, kayaking, canoeing and canoe slalom.
What your child could gain:
National School Games Mallakhamb Championship U-19
by School Games Federation of India (SGFI)
The U-19 age group of SGFI's national school mallakhamb championship, entered by the state school sports body and medalled on its own.
What your child could gain:
Kalarigram Trust Residential Kalaripayattu Training Program
by Kalarigram Trust
Experience immersive Kalaripayattu training at Kalarigram Trust in Kerala, focusing on traditional martial arts, physical fitness, and holistic development for all ages.
What your child could gain: