Page 23 - NIS English 16-31 August 2025

COVER STORY Khelta Bharat,
Khilta Bharat
This is how the creation of a sports

ecosystem in India began in 2014
Talents are also found where they are least expected. From 2014, a special focus was laid on this in
India with a new vision of the central government. Through ‘Khelo India,’ implemented in 2016, the
identification and training of grassroots-level talents and taking them to the Olympic stage began, while
the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (i.e., TOPS) laid the foundation of an excellent sports structure in
India with the construction of excellent sports infrastructure. Let us know how these schemes laid the
foundation for comprehensive improvement in the level of sports in India.

Creation of sports ecosystem in India began in 2014
Khelo India…

Helping players r3,124.12 70
from the crore was spent on the projects are
grassroots level construction of 328 new currently under

Khelo India, launched with the sports infrastructures, out construction, while
work on 20 projects
motto of 'Kheloge Kudoge of which 238 projects is yet to begin.
have been completed.
Banoge Lajawab,' worked to
remove the shortcomings in all More Than grounds were geo- Establishment of 1,045 Khelo
the schemes launched before tagged so that they India Centres for training and
it. In 2017, it was revamped 17,000 can be fully utilised. support at grassroots level.’
by dividing it into 12 areas
of work. It aims to promote Zone-wise talent search teams Annual sports competition under Khelo India
were formed to reach out to
mass participation and sports n Khelo India Youth Games
excellence in both rural and sports talent at the district and n Khelo India University 17
block levels. The Talent Search
urban areas. The scheme has Games Editions
been extended for the next Portal was launched; players More Than
themselves can upload their
five years with an outlay of Rs n Khelo India Para Games 50
3,790.50 crore in the year 2021. achievements on it. n Khelo India Winter Thousands of
Games become national
34 sports competitions. athletes have
participated.
Notifications of Khelo India The government is going to organise
State Centre of Excellence, Khelo India North-East Games every
recognition to 306 academies. year in 8 states of the Northeast.

The Khelo India Emerging Talent
2,845 Identification program launched, targeting
Khelo India athletes have children in the age group of 9-18 years. It uses
been supported with 174 Talent Assessment Centres for merit-
coaching, equipment, based talent searches. KIRTI aims to prepare
medical care, and a a pipeline of athletes to make India a top 10
monthly out-of-pocket sporting nation by 2036 and top 5 by 2047.
allowance.
Amount allocated under the
Khelo India scheme
2020-21 328.77
2021-22 869
2022-23 600
2023-24 880
2024-25 746.54
2025-26 1000
*Note: All amounts are in crores of rupees.
August 16-31, 2025 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 21