Lok Sabha Question No. 656 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Scholarship under Khelo India Scheme
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Sunil Dattatray Tatkare

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 656 ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

Scholarship under Khelo India Scheme

656. SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

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

- (a) the total number of students selected for scholarship under Khelo India Scheme in the State of Maharashtra during each of the last three years;
- (b) the details of the benefits likely to be availed by the players through this scheme;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  been  able  to  achieve  the  objective  for which  Khelo  India  Youth  Games  were  organized  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) the other steps taken by the Government to encourage sports in remote under-developed areas including villages?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR }

- (a) The total number of students selected for scholarship under Khelo India Scheme from the State of Maharashtra during the last three years and the current year are as under:
- (b)  Under  the  component  'Khelo  India  Centres  &  Sports  Academies'  of Khelo  India  Scheme,  the  identified  talents  are  given  option  to  join  the accredited Khelo India academies and also provided financial assistance of Rs.  6.28  Lakh  per  annum  [including  Rs  1.20  Lakh  as  Out  of  Pocket Allowance (OPA)] towards training expenses, coaching, competitions exposure, education, equipment support, scientific support etc.

|   2020-21 |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
|       347 |       415 |       360 |       347 |

(c)  Yes,  Sir.  The  Khelo  India  Scheme  aims  at  infusing  sports  culture  and achieving sporting excellence in the country thus allowing the populace to harness the power of sports through its cross-cutting influence. It focuses on  the  broad  basing  of  sports  amongst  the  youth  and  the  promotion  of sports  activities  throughout  the  country.  Till  date,  01  Khelo  India  School Games  and  05  editions  of  Khelo  India  Youth  Games  (KIYG)  have  been organised.  The  benchmark  of  technical  conduct  of  these  Games  is  of International  Standards.  These  games  have  witnessed  a  participation  of more than 29,000 athletes, out of which 2568 athletes have been selected as Khelo India Athletes. Various initiatives have been undertaken with an aim to provide training and exposure  at par with the International Standards,  which  includes  training  of  Khelo  India  Athletes  in  accredited academies.  Further,  these  athletes  compete  with  National/International athletes at various forums which enhance their capabilities and strengthen the bench strength of the country for future National/International events.

(d)  The  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  &  Sports  implements  the  following schemes for encouragement of sportspersons across the country, including remote under-developed areas including villages:

(i) Scheme of 'Khelo India- National Programme for Development of Sports'; (ii)  Assistance  to  National  Sports  Federations;  (iii)  Special  Awards  to Winners  in  International  Sports  Events  and  their  Coaches;  (iv)  National Sports Awards;  (v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; (vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Sports Welfare Scheme; (vii) National Sports Development  Fund;  and  (viii) Sports Training  Centres  through Sports Authority of India.

Details  of  the  above  schemes  are  available  in  the  public  domain  on  the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India.

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