The Chandigarh UT Sports Department has revived the post of Additional Director (Sports) after more than 20 years, appointing Atul Nivruttirao Dhakne, a DANICS officer, to the role. Dhakne is the first officer from the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS) to be posted in the department.
New hierarchy in the department
The department now has Secretary (Sports), Director (Sports), Additional Director (Sports), and Joint Director (Sports) all on deputation, each holding additional charges. Below them are clerical staff and coaches, who have been awaiting a promotion policy for years.
History of the post
The post was created in 2000 by then Advisor (now Chief Secretary) Vineeta Rai. Initially, the Additional Deputy Commissioner held the charge. Former ADC Inderjit Singh Sandhu held the post in 2022 before becoming Director Sports in 2023. After his elevation, the post remained vacant until June 29, 2026.
Reason for revival
Sources said Dhakne was appointed to share the workload of organizing two international events scheduled for next year. The former Advisor had introduced the post to ease the Deputy Commissioner’s burden, who then held the additional charge of the Sports Department.
Uncertainty over permanence
The role of Additional Director Sports has not been made public yet. The department now has one IAS officer, one PCS officer, one DANICS officer, and one UT cadre officer, a structure different from the 2000s. Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad remained unavailable for comment.
Coaches' hopes and challenges
A coach remarked, “The new arrangement is perhaps to share the burden for conducting international events. However, it remains to be seen whether the post becomes a regular feature.” Coaches are hopeful that a promotion policy will finally be introduced.
The department has also been without a regular District Sports Officer (DSO) for nearly five years, since the retirement of Ravinder Singh Laddi. The post has been given as an additional charge to some coaches, but a permanent appointment awaits a proper promotion policy.
