In the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the government’s flagship sports initiative, Khelo India, emerged as one of the top beneficiaries in the sports ministry’s allocation. The program, aimed at fostering grassroots sports, secured 900 crore rupees from the overall sports budget of over 3,442 crore rupees. This marks a 20 crore rupees increase from the previous year’s revised allocation of 880 crore rupees.
Khelo India, which has been pivotal in promoting sports at the grassroots level across India, continues to be a priority for the government as it aims to nurture young talent and enhance sporting infrastructure nationwide.
Ever since the inaugural Khelo India Youth Games in 2018, the government has continued to add more programmes. The sports ministry added Khelo India University Games in 2020, before also launching the Khelo India Winter Games the same year and the Khelo India Para Games in 2023.
Hundreds of Khelo India State Centres of Excellence have been set up across the country, which aim to provide facilities for athletes with potential. Several Khelo India athletes are currently in India’s Olympic-bound contingent.
