By: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Team India’s achievements at the Paris Olympics 2024 indicates the overall improved performance of the Indian contingent. Besides the 6 medals, 8 of our athletes were placed in the 4th position and missed the podium finish just by a whisker. Five of them were competing in their maiden Olympics. As many as 15 athletes reached the quarter-finals of their competitions, which is also for the very first time for India.
This is the face of a new and buoyant India which was seen at the Paris Olympics. As many as 28 Khelo India athletes (KIAs) were a part of the 117-member contingent. More than 2700 athletes, including India’s youngest-ever Olympic medalist Aman Sehrawat and pistol shooter medalist Sarabjot Singh, are beneficiaries of the Khelo India programmme. Olympic double-medalist Manu Bhaker has won multiple medals from the Khelo India University Games 2022 while she was also a part of the first edition of the Khelo India School Games in 2018.
In recent years, India has made significant strides in nurturing its sporting talent, thanks in large parts to the ambitious Khelo India Programme. Launched in 2018, this initiative has become a game-changer for Indian sports. Perhaps the most significant impact of Khelo India is its role as a feeder system for India’s Olympic aspirations. By identifying talent early and providing sustained support, the program is creating a pipeline of athletes who are better prepared to compete at the international level. The results are already beginning to show, with several Khelo India athletes representing the country at major international events, including the Olympics. The programme’s holistic approach, which includes not just training but also funding for diet, nutrition, equipment and education with an annual scholarship of Rs 6.28 lakhs per athlete, is ensuring that India’s future Olympians are well-rounded athletes capable of handling the pressures of elite sport. In fact, we also have a total of 25 Khelo India athletes in Paris Paralympics out of a total contingent of 84 para-athletes.
The Khelo India Games have played a pivotal part in the scheme with a total of 15 Khelo India Games held since 2018 – 6 Khelo India Youth Games, 4 Khelo India University Games, 4 Khelo India Winter Games and 1 Khelo India Para Games held. From these games, we have identified over 1000 talented athletes. Also, with a total of 302 Accredited Academies, 1000+ Khelo India Centres, 32 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence, we are ensuring every possible infrastructure is ready for our grassroots athletes to make them future champions.
Since its inception, the government has invested around ₹ 3,616 crore in the program, a testament to its commitment to developing sports at the grassroots level. There are 1059 Khelo India Centres (KICs) notified across 36 States and Union Territories, with a total of 747 districts covered. These centres serve as hubs for identifying and nurturing local talent, ensuring that no potential champion goes unnoticed, regardless of their geographic location or economic background. These centres also provide a sustainable source of livelihood to past champion athletes.
Moreover, the program has established 32 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) across 31 States and UTs. These state-of-the-art facilities offer specialized training in specific sports, ensuring that athletes have access to world-class infrastructure and coaching. These centres of excellence also provide support towards Sports Science and Technology for sports disciplines practised at the centre. It also bridges the gaps in sports equipment, high performance managers, coaches, etc.
The Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) program is making significant strides in unearthing talent at the grassroots level. KIRTI aims at identifying untapped sporting talent across India and fostering a culture of sports awareness. The program identifies talent among school-goers between 9 and 18. It utilizes modern technology and best practices to create a seamless talent identification system. The vision is to streamline the whole process of grassroots talent identification on a single platform. Close to 1 Lakh assessments have been successfully conducted across 10 sports disciplines at 93 locations across the country so far.
With an effort to provide special impetus to women’s participation in sports the ASMITA women’s leagues are being conducted across the country. As of today, four seasons of ASMITA have been held since 2021 which has seen a total participation of 83615 women in 20 sports from across 35 States and UTs. These leagues achieve much more than crowning champions. They create a supportive environment for female athletes, fostering a love for sports and a path to potential careers.
The foundation laid by Khelo India is promising. As these young athletes mature and progress through the ranks, we can expect to see many more Khelo India Athletes as Olympic champions. The program has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s sporting future, by providing a structured pathway for young athletes, from grassroots participation to elite performance, it is nurturing the Olympic champions of tomorrow.
(Writer is Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment)
