Page 47 - NIS English 16-30 April, 2026

Khelo India | FLAGSHIP

Other Sports Schemes
Khelo India Tribal Games

TOPS: Grooming Athletes for Before this, the Khelo India initiative had
the Olympic Podium successfully organized the Khelo India Youth
Games, Khelo India University Games, Khelo
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) India Winter Games, Khelo India Para Games,
has been operational since 2014. Its objective is Khelo India Beach Games, and the Khelo
to enhance India’s medal-winning prospects at India Water Sports Festival. This year—for
the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Under this the very first time—the Khelo India Tribal
scheme, athletes with exceptional potential are Games were held from March 25 to April 6
identified and provided with customized, end-to- across three cities in Chhattisgarh: Raipur,
end support. TOPS offers a comprehensive range Jagdalpur, and Surguja. The event featured
of assistance—including training, sports science, medal competitions across seven disciplines:
and support services—along with a monthly out- Athletics, Football, Hockey, Weightlifting,
of-pocket allowance of ₹50,000 for ‘Core’ athletes Archery, Swimming, and Wrestling.
and ₹25,000 for ‘Development’ athletes.

Assistance Provided Under TOPS

51 Core Athletes 52 Para Core Athletes

130 Development Athletes “India is working to enhance its

dominance in sports at the international
level, identifying sporting talent right
at the school level and providing them
with training. From ‘Khelo India’ to the
‘TOPS’ scheme, an entire ecosystem has
been developed for this purpose.”
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Games, five editions of the Khelo India Winter Games, of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as per
two editions of the Khelo India Para Games, two editions the general criteria. This is a special initiative for Jammu
of the Khelo India Beach Games, and one edition of the and Kashmir. So far, 100 Khelo India Centers have been
Khelo India Water Sports Festival. Over 60,000 athletes notified in the Union Territory.
have participated in these games.
KIRTI, AN INITIATIVE TO IDENTIFY SPORTS
LEAGUES FOR WOMEN IN 34 SPORTS TALENT AMONG CHILDREN
Khelo India Women’s Leagues are being organized to KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) is a na-
encourage women’s participation in sports. As of Feb- tionwide initiative to identify and nurture sports talent
ruary 2026, women’s leagues have been organized in 34 among children aged 9 to 18 years. Talents are being
sports disciplines. 2,407 competitions have been held identified through more than 174 talent assessment
and over 200,000 participants took part. centers across the country. This initiative ensures a
strong pipeline of young athletes who can take India
5 KHELO INDIA CENTERS IN EVERY to greater heights in global sports. Kirti aims to build
DISTRICT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR a sustainable and consistent group of athletes to help
Under the Khelo India Scheme, a provision has been no- India become a top 10 sporting nation by 2036 and a
tified to establish 5 Khelo India Centers in every district top 5 nation by 2047. n

April 16-30, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 45