The government of India has approved the implementation of Khelo India – National Programme on Development of Sports by merging ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan’ (erstwhile ‘Yuva Krida & Khel Abhiyan’), ‘Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme’ and ‘National Sports Talent Search System Programme’ as Central Sector Scheme from the financial year 2016-17 onwards.
Why Khelo India?
The Youth represent the most dynamic and vibrant segment of the population. India is one of the youngest nations in the World, with about 65% of its population being under 35 years of age. The youth in the age group of 15-29 years comprise 27.5% of the population. Currently, there is dearth of supporting infrastructure, absence of encouragement to young people to participate in sports, and lack of organized system of talent search. To promote mass participation in sports, the government has decided to merge existing scheme and introduce Khelo India.
Existing scheme for Sports
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan – To provide infrastructure in rural areas and to encourage sporting culture in the country through competitions.
- Urban Infrastructure Scheme – To provide quality sports infrastructure in urban areas so as to provide facilities for talent to hone their skills.
- National Sports Talent Search – To identify young talent.
Objectives of the Scheme
- Mass participation of youth in annual sports competitions through a structured competition;
- Identification of talent
- Guidance and nurturing of the talent through existing sports academies and new set up either by the central Government or State Government or in PPP mode.
- Creation of Sports Infrastructure at mofussil, Tehsil, District, State levels, etc.
- Each athlete selected under the scheme shall receive an annual scholarship worth Rs. 5.00 lakh for 8 consecutive years
Implementation of Khelo India
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) is the implementing agency for the scheme.
Awards
The selected candidates will be eligible for either grant of suitable scholarships or for admissions in SAI Centres and Sports Academies. The disbursal of scholarships shall be on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) principle through the implementing agency.
Khelo India School Games 2018
Khelo India School Games, which are a part of the Khelo India programme, are being held from 31st January to 8th February, 2018 in New Delhi. Under-17 athletes have been invited to participate across 16 disciplines, which are as follows: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.
Khelo India School Games 2019
Khelo India School Games 2019 will allow participants to compete in two categories, (Under 17) and (Under 21). It will be held in Pune from January 9 – January 20, 2019. This year the number of athletes participating in the event has almost tripled to 9000 athletes. Maharashtra topped the medals tally with total of 227 medals (Gold – 85, Silver – 61, Bronze – 81). Haryana and Delhi settled at 2nd and 3rd spot respectively.
Khelo India Youth Games 2020
The third edition of the Khelo India Youth Games held from January 10 to 22 in Guwahati. Maharashtra maintained its supremacy in Khelo India Youth Games by improving upon its last year’s performance and finishing at the top of the table with a massive haul of 256 medals, comprising 78 gold, 77 silver and 101 bronze.
Khelo India State Centres of Excellence
The sports ministry will establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence under the Khelo India Scheme. One such centre will be identified in each State and Union Territory with an aim to create a robust sporting ecosystem in the entire country
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