The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has introduced the Khelo India Initiative. Through this scheme, the government aims to provide professional training to athletes and their coaches to enhance their competitive performance on the global stage, including the Olympics. These events are designed to be premier sporting tournaments held at school, college, and university levels. The central government allocated Rs. 1756 crore toward this revamped project for the fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20.
Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore (Minister of State, I/C) revealed that the Central government plans to select 1,000 athletes for the 'Pan Indian Sports Scholarship Scheme.' Furthermore, the government will offer financial support and resources amounting to Rs 5 Lakh over a period of 8 years. Additionally, the program intends to induct another 1,000 athletes annually. Ultimately, the core mission of this initiative is to encourage “Sports for All.”
This program focuses on integrating sports into the development of individuals, communities, and the economy, thereby fostering national growth. Officials have described this as a 'Watershed Movement' in Indian sporting history. The initiative is expected to reach approximately 200 million children aged 10 to 18.
Key Components of the Khelo India Initiative
The Khelo India Initiative consists of 12 primary components as outlined below:
| Playground Infrastructure Development | Community Coaching Programs | State-Level Khelo India Centers |
| Annual Sporting Tournaments | Talent Identification and Nurturing | Development/Upgradation of Sports Facilities |
| Support for National/Regional/State Academies | Physical Fitness for School Students | Sports Initiatives for Women |
| Sports Promotion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) | Sports for Peace and Development | Promotion of Rural and Traditional Games |
Eligibility Requirements for Khelo India
Khelo India is a national government scheme dedicated to advancing the sporting landscape in India. It was officially inaugurated in 2018 by the then Sports Minister, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, in Delhi, with the goal of fostering a robust sports culture nationwide. The eligibility criteria for the program are as follows:
- Athletes under 17 years old are eligible for the U-17 category.
- Athletes under 21 years old are eligible for the U-21 category.