National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), Goa is a centre functioning under the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), a central autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, for training and certification in water sports and related activities. NIWS, Goa is mandated to impart training in water related sports activities across all States and UTs. For opening of any centre of a central autonomous body there are factors including potential for tourism development, resource availability, viability, demand and other such factors and comparative advantage among various sites across States and UTs. No proposal has been received in the Ministry for setting up of NIWS in Maharashtra.
The Ministry has been taking concerted efforts to support the State and UT Govts. for the promotion of Water sports related tourism in the Country. Ministry of Tourism provides Grant-in-aid support to the State and UT Govts. for the Island, Beach and Water-front development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, to which, Water sports, Beach Safety etc. are important components. In addition, the Ministry has a mechanism for the approval of adventure tour operators in India.
Through the National Institute of Water sports (NIWS) Goa, support is provided to the State and UT Governments in matters related to preparation of Policies, Guidelines, SOP’s, manpower training etc. To strengthen the activities, NIWS has already entered MOU arrangements with State and UT Governments as well as the Indian Navy Physical Training School. Over 27 courses in Water sports and related activities have also been developed by NIWS. The trainers of the Institute also impart training to different States and UT’s and undertake off-campus training courses. NIWS also undertakes water sports awareness campaigns on both online and physical modes.
