To strengthen the grassroots sports infrastructure across the country, the Sports Ministry has sanctioned 341 sports infrastructure projects under the flagship Khelo India Scheme and National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur told Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The Minister further said that more than 1,000 Khelo India centres in 679 districts across 36 states/Union Territories and 32 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence in 31 states/UTs, have been notified. In addition, 296 sports academies have also been accredited in 23 states/UTs.

In 2022, the Government of India extended the tenure of the Khelo India Scheme for the next five years. It increased its budgetary allocation by 48% in Budget 2022-23 with an outlay of Rs 3,165.50 crore. The move was aimed at achieving the twin objectives of mass participation and promotion of youth excellence in sports across India.

Notably, the Sports Ministry under the Khelo India Scheme also sanctioned 298 sports infrastructure projects across the country in 2022.

What is Khelo India scheme?

The flagship central government’s sports scheme Khelo India has been infusing sports culture and achieving sporting excellence in the country since its launch in 2016, harnessing the power of sports through its cross-cutting influence.

The programme includes playfield development, community coaching development, promotion of community sports, and the establishment of a strong sports competition structure at both school and university levels along with rural/indigenous sports, sports for persons with disability and women’s sports.

The primary goal of the initiative is to create a national-level platform for athletes to showcase their talent and to identify them for further grooming and financial support.From 2017 to 2021, three editions of the Khelo India School and Youth Games, one edition of the Khelo India University Games and two editions of the Khelo India Winter Games have been hosted. The event witnessed the participation of over 20,000 athletes, with close to 3,000 athletes identified as Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) who are at Khelo currently being trained at academies, besides being supported for training, equipment, diet and education.

First-ever Khelo India Para Games 2023

Giving a boost to the para-athletes in the country, Anurag Thakur formally opened the Khelo India Para Games 2023 in a ceremony on December 11.

The event was held at three venues in Delhi, with over 1,450 participants from 32 states/UTs and Services Sports Boards.