New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced a significant overhaul of the Khelo India Scheme on Friday. This new initiative receives a total funding of ₹ 36,441 crore, aimed at supporting sports development over the next five years, starting from the current fiscal year.
Event Context
Sources indicate that the Sports Ministry plans to strengthen its administrative framework to effectively implement the project on the ground.
Player Focus
The government is set to enhance the Khelo India scheme and increase support for National Sports Federations in order to establish a ‘seamless pathway’ for young athletes to transition from grassroots levels to international competition. With India preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and aiming for the 2036 Olympics, increased funding and resources are being allocated to improve the nation’s chances of securing medals in major sporting events.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the government’s dedication to fostering a robust sports culture, stating, “Our government is fully committed to promoting the sports culture in the country. The expansion of the Khelo India initiative and additional support for national sports federations will enable young athletes to access improved training, state-of-the-art facilities, and greater opportunities for skill enhancement.”
A new ‘comprehensive athlete development pathway’ has been designed to assist young sportsmen and women at all stages, from identifying talent to offering scientific training and preparing them for key international competitions such as the Olympics.
This initiative will broaden the grassroots foundation and offer young talents guidance through professional coaching, scientific methodologies, and long-term mentorship via a well-structured athlete development framework.
The Khelo India scheme aims to create an integrated national sports framework that includes National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), Khelo India Centres of Excellence, sports academies, SAI Training Centres (STCs), and Youth Sports Companies (YSCs) associated with the Armed Forces. Collectively, these institutions will deliver world-class coaching, sports science support, and modern infrastructure throughout India.
The government has also pledged to enhance collaboration with private sports academies, business partners, and various institutions to harness investments, creativity, and expertise in sports infrastructure, talent development, and athlete assistance.
To bolster sports in schools, two new programs have been launched—Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS) and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas (KIUV)—which aim to blend sports with traditional education and facilitate early talent identification and systematic development.
A talent identification framework will be established, featuring Development Committees, Zonal Committees, talent scouts, and high-performance directors and managers. Additionally, a National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) will be formed to enhance the quality of coaching and develop the capabilities of coaches and support personnel nationwide.
Moreover, National Sports Federations will receive ₹20 crore—up from ₹2 crore—to host international competitions, provided that a minimum of 12 nations participate.
Match Outlook
Currently, approximately 3,000 Khelo India Athletes (KIA) are being trained through various schemes offered by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Each athlete receives an annual stipend of ₹6.28 lakh, which includes a monthly allowance of ₹10,000 to cover personal expenses, in addition to support for their training, equipment, nutrition, and education. This financial support is set to increase significantly, with plans to incorporate 30,000 athletes from grassroots levels into the Khelo India program over the next five years. Furthermore, a new category of Emerging Khelo India Athletes will be established to identify and nurture talent at a younger age, enhancing the support system for future sports stars.
source
The government announced on Friday that this initiative marks the most ambitious sports development program in the country since gaining Independence. It is set to significantly enhance the aspirations of the nation’s youth in sports, promising a transformative impact over the next decade. This comprehensive project will involve investments aimed at upgrading current training facilities and establishing new centers to nurture young talent. Additionally, a centralized digital sports platform will be created, integrating databases for athletes, infrastructure details, competition information, and coaching resources.
