Lok Sabha Question No. 2318 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Khelo Bharat Niti, 2025
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Shri G M Harish Balayogi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2318 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

Khelo Bharat Niti, 2025

2318.    Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu: Shri G M Harish Balayogi:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures proposed to be taken by the Government under Khelo Bharat  Niti,  2025  to  strengthen  grassroots  sports  infrastructure  and enable early talent identification in rural/tribal and aspirational districts of Andhra Pradesh, especially under Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programmes (ESDPs);
- (b)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  availability  of qualified coaches in districts with limited access to sports facilities, including initiatives at panchayat/block levels;
- (c)  the  initiatives  under  the  said  policy  to  promote  inclusive  sports participation among persons with disabilities and economically weaker sections  in  Andhra  Pradesh,  including  accessible  infrastructure  and financial support;
- (d) the measures being taken by the Government to encourage private sector  involvement  in  sports  development  through  Corporate  Social Responsibility (CSR), Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and the support provided to sports startups in underserved areas;
- (e) whether  structure sports and  physical  education  have  been integrated into the schools and higher education institutions in Andhra

Pradesh  under  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and

- (f)  the  manner  in  which  athletes  from  Andhra  Pradesh  are  being identified and supported for participation in global events such as the Olympics and Asian Games?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a)  The  Government  has  launched  the  Khelo  Bharat  Niti-2025  on 01.07.2025, which aims at building a strong, inclusive, and performancedriven  sports  ecosystem  in  India.  Objectives  of  the  Niti  inter-alia includes  to  develop  a  robust  talent  identification  and  development system to nurture future champions, Ensure equitable access to sports infrastructure across the country and Provide athlete-centric support systems for the holistic development of sportspersons. 'Sports' being a State  subject,  the  responsibility  for  promotion  and  development  of sports  rests  primarily  with  the  respective  State/Union  Territory  (UT) Governments.  However,  the  Union  Government  supplements  their efforts  through  its  various  schemes/programmes  viz.,  (i)  Khelo  India Scheme (ii) Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) (iii) Assistance to National Sports Federations Scheme (iv) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare program for Sportspersons (v) Scheme of sports fund for  Pension  to  Meritorious  Sportspersons,  and  (vi)  Scheme  of  Cash Incentive  to  Medal  Winners  in  International  Sports  Events  and  their Coaches. Details of all these schemes are available in public domain on the website of this Ministry at https://yas.nic.in/sports/schemes.
- (b) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including improving availability of qualified coaches in districts with limited access to sports facilities, including initiatives at panchayat/block levels, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. Under Khelo India Scheme, support is given  to  States'  Khelo  India  Centre  (KIC)  and  for  Khelo  India  State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) including for coaching.  At present 926

Past  Champion  Athletes  (PCAs)  have  been  engaged  as  coaches  and mentors  at  KICs.  These  PCAs  undergo  capacity-building  programs, including refresher and certificate courses at no cost, offered by Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) Patiala and other academies. In addition, this Ministry also supports coaches through its other  schemes  viz.  Assistance  to  National  Sports  Federations  and Running  Sports  Training  Centres  through  Sports  Authority  of  India. Details  of  these  schemes  are  available  in  the  public  domain  on  the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India.

- (c) The  objectives  of  Khelo  Bharat  Niti  2025  inter-alia  provides  to ensure equitable access to sports infrastructure across the country for all  athletes  including  athletes  with  disabilities  and  economically weaker sections. The  Government through various schemes  as mentioned in reply to Point (a) above bridge the gaps for athletes with disabilities and economically weaker sections. Additionally, all sports facilities are mandated  to  adhere  to  the  guidelines outlined in 'Accessible  Sports  Complex  and  Residential  Facilities  for  Sports Persons  with  Disabilities,'  ensuring  the  comfort  and  accessibility  of facilities for athletes with disabilities.
- (d) Department of Sports encourages private sector's involvement in sports development by actively engaging with Corporates/PSUs  and participating in several CSR Conclave and other events. The Department also has National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) where contribution  of  CSR  Funds  from  Corporates/PSUs  are  received  and utilized for the development of sports.
- (e) The  Department  of  School  Education  and  Literacy,  Ministry  of Education,  has  introduced  the  Samagra  Shiksha  scheme  to  promote holistic development in children, incorporating sports, physical activities, yoga, and co-curricular activities. Under this scheme, grants ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 25,000 are provided to government schools annually  for  sports  equipment,  with  an  additional  grant  of  upto  Rs. 25,000 per school available, if at least two students win medals in the Khelo India National School Games. In line with the National Education Policy  (NEP)  2020  recommendations,  the  scheme's  sports  guidelines were revised in August 2023 to emphasize on daily sports activities,

indigenous games, procurement of age-appropriate equipment, infrastructure  development,  and  the  role  of  sports  committees  and physical  education  teachers.  These  updated  guidelines  have  been shared with States and Union Territories including the state of Andhra Pradesh. (f) The  Mission  Olympic  Cell  (MOC),  functioning  under  the  Sports Authority of  India  (SAI),  is  responsible  for  identifying  and  overseeing athletes under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Through this scheme, the Ministry selects and extends support to athletes with the potential to win medals at the Olympics and Asian Games, including those  from  Andhra  Pradesh.  These  athletes  receive  personalized assistance  based  on  the  specific  requirements  of  their  sporting discipline.

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