Wondering What’s The Future Of Sports In India? Then Read On

Under the “State Level Khelo India Centre” (SLKIC) vertical of the Khelo India Scheme, the sports ministry has decided to establish 1000 Khelo India Centres (KICs) (one to two KICs in each district) across India. So far, 106 Khelo India Centres have been approved including 60 Sports Authority of India (SAI) Extension Centres. The objective is to promote sports at grassroots level and provide opportunities of employment to past champion athletes. The Scheme has provision for providing financial support at the rate of ₹ 5.00 lakh per annum as recurring grant per discipline and ₹ 5.00 lakh as one-time non-recurring grant per discipline.

Under the Khelo India Scheme, 2947 athletes in 21 sports disciplines have been selected for scholarship till date.

It has been decided to grade and incentivize 500 academies across India in collaboration with National Sports Federations (NSFs) under Khelo India Scheme. This is in addition to the setting up of 1000 Khelo India Small Centres and one Khelo India State Centre of Excellence in each state. At present 232 accredited academies (76 SAI and 156 Non-SAI) have been identified under Khelo India Scheme which include 102 private academies (Non-SAI) for the training of the selected athletes. The Non-SAI accredited academies are being funded based on the enrolment of athletes under the Khelo India Scheme. The objective is to train and nurture the talents in various sports disciplines for achieving excellence.

Preparation of Indian sportspersons and teams for achieving excellence with improved medals tally in international sports events, including Olympics 2028, is an ongoing process. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) are improving several schemes such as Khelo India Scheme, Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Sports promotional schemes of SAI, which aim at widening of the talent pool and nurturing and grooming of identified talented sportspersons for their participation in international events including Olympics with the intent of winning maximum medals for the country.

Source: Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren Rijiju in Rajya Sabha

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