Font size:
Print
Khelo India Scheme
Context:
The Khelo India Scheme has allocated funds to various states and union territories for sports infrastructure development.
About Scheme:
- The Khelo India Scheme, launched in 2016, addressed previous anomalies in the sports sector.
- It is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aimed at promoting sports culture and achieving sporting excellence across India.
- From 2017 to 2020, three editions of the Khelo India School and Youth Games and one edition of the Khelo India University Games were hosted.
- More than 23 lakh school children in the age group of 5-18 years have been assessed through Khelo India mobile app.
Objectives:
- Playfield Development: The scheme focuses on creating and upgrading playfields (serves as the foundation for nurturing young talent and encouraging active participation in sports) across the country.
- Utilisation and Creation/Upgradation of Sports Infrastructure: It allocates funds for critical gaps including building state-of-the-art facilities, sports hubs, and centres of excellence in select universities.
Significance:
- Sports for Peace and Development: It encourages sports activities in areas affected by extremism and terrorism (in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected States).
- Talent Search and Development: Khelo India identifies promising athletes and provides them with training, coaching, and support to reach their full potential.
- Promotion of Women’s Sports: Supporting women athletes at both grassroots and elite levels is crucial, as they constitute 50% of India’s population.
- Specialised Women’s Only Leagues in football, basketball, and hockey have been introduced to ensure a level playing field.
- Promotion of Divyang Athletes: The SAI National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar is dedicated to para-athletes. Support through the TOPS Scheme.
- The scheme emphasises fitness programs for school children, promoting a healthy lifestyle from an early age.
- It celebrates India’s rich heritage of rural and indigenous sports, ensuring their preservation and growth.
Sports Authority of India (SAI)
- Administrative Control: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
- Established in 1984 by the Indian Government.
- Successor organisation to the IXth Asian Games held in Delhi (1982).
- It is registered under the Societies Act, of 1860.
- Objective: To promote sports and games in India (as per Government Resolution).
- Legislation: Governed by Memorandum of Association & Rules, and Financial ByeLaws.
- Funds Allocation: Government grants are used to implement sports promotion schemes across India through regional centres and academic institutes.
