PM Modi Hails ₹36,441-crore Khelo India Expansion, Calls It a Boost for India's Sporting Future

India is making its biggest-ever bet on sport.

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹36,441-crore outlay to expand the Khelo India Scheme and strengthen financial support for National Sports Federations (NSFs) over the next five years, marking what the government describes as the most ambitious sports development programme since Independence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the decision reflects the government's commitment to building a stronger sporting culture and giving young athletes the support they need to succeed.

"Our government is fully committed to promoting sports culture in the country. The expansion of the Khelo India Scheme and enhanced assistance to National Sports Federations will provide young athletes with better training, modern facilities and more opportunities to hone their talent," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

According to the government, the approved allocation for 2026-27 to 2030-31 is nearly eight times larger than the previous Khelo India programme, signalling a major push to transform India's sports ecosystem.

The revamped scheme seeks to create a seamless pathway for athletes—from school playgrounds and village fields to the Olympic podium—ensuring that talent is identified and nurtured regardless of geography or economic background.

Among the biggest changes is the creation of a nationwide athlete development network linking National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, accredited academies and grassroots training centres under one integrated framework.

The government has also introduced Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas, bringing sports more deeply into the education system and strengthening talent identification at an early age.

A key reform is the launch of the Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA) programme, which is expected to expand the country's structured athlete development ecosystem nearly tenfold, bringing thousands more young sportspersons under professional coaching, sports science support and long-term mentoring.

The plan also focuses on increasing competitive opportunities through school, university and regional leagues while providing greater support to women athletes, para-athletes and indigenous sports.

To strengthen India's sporting ecosystem further, the government will establish a National Coach Accreditation Board, build a unified digital sports platform and deepen partnerships with private academies and corporate organisations.

The expanded Khelo India programme aligns with the government's broader ambitions under Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, National Education Policy 2020, and India's long-term goal of emerging as a global sporting powerhouse, including preparations for future Commonwealth Games and the country's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With the record investment, the government is signalling that sport is no longer just a competition agenda—it is becoming a key pillar of youth development, nation-building and Viksit Bharat 2047.

(With inputs from ANI)