Lok Sabha Question No. 4915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Khelo India Mission in Assam
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Parimal Suklabaidya

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4915 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Khelo India Mission in Assam

## 4915. SHRI PARIMAL SUKLABAIDYA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has prepared any district-wise implementation plan under the Khelo India Mission for the State of Assam, particularly for Cachar district in Barak Valley;
- (b) the details of sports infrastructure projects sanctioned, approved or under consideration in Cachar district during the last three years and the current year along with the funds allocated and released under the said mission;
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to strengthen grassroots sports talent identification and coaching facilities in rural and tea garden areas of Cachar district; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to establish a Khelo India Centre, Sports Science Centre or residential sports academy in the said district and if so, the timeline therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ]

- (a) The Khelo India Mission, announced in Budget 2026-27, envisages a national framework for promotion of sports and strengthening of the sports ecosystem across the country, including the State of Assam and Cachar district in Barak Valley.
- (b) and (c) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including development of sports infrastructure

and strengthening grassroots sports talent identification and coaching facilities, rests primarily with the State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. The Khelo India Scheme and National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), implemented by this Ministry, under which financial assistance for development of sports infrastructure is provided are demand-driven schemes. The details of the sports infrastructure projects approved and their sanctioned cost and funds released under the Khelo India Scheme and NSDF, across the country, including in the State of Assam, are available in the public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in. and http://www.nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdfglance.html.

Under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the identification of sporting talent at the grassroots level is undertaken through a systematic and multi-tiered mechanism under the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Khelo India Scheme. Under SAI Sports Promotional Schemes, talent is scouted through competitions at district, state, national and international levels, followed by selection trials, battery of tests, anthropometric measurements, physiological and psychological assessments, medical check-up, age verification and evaluation of future potential, as applicable under the respective schemes.

Further, under the Khelo India Scheme, talent identification and development is a continuous process. Talent Identification and Development Committees comprising eminent athletes, coaches, experts and representatives of concerned stakeholders identify promising athletes during competitions such as Khelo India Games and National Championships on the basis of sport-specific benchmarks. Grassroots talent scouting is also supported through Khelo India Centres established at the district level, where Past Champion Athletes serve as mentors and scouts.

(d) There is no such proposal under consideration in this Ministry.

****