**Executive Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' response to a parliamentary question regarding the allocation of grants for Khelo India Centres (KICs). It addresses concerns about the adequacy of funds for training, equipment, and infrastructure after allocating grants for former athletes' remuneration. The document outlines the current funding structure, evaluation processes, and review mechanisms in place.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Khelo India Centres (KICs) Funding:**
* Each KIC is eligible for a recurring annual grant of ₹5.00 lakh per sports discipline.
* Up to ₹3.00 lakh is earmarked for the remuneration of Past Champion Athletes (PCAs) as coaches.
* The remaining ₹2.00 lakh is for sports equipment, consumables, kits, and competition participation.
* A one-time non-recurring grant of ₹5.00 lakh per discipline is provided for infrastructure enhancement, equipment procurement, CCTV installation, and training field upgrades.
* **Average Annual Grant (Excluding PCA Honorarium):**
* The average annual grant received by KICs (excluding PCA honorarium) is approximately ₹2.00 lakh.
* This amount is utilized for training, equipment, consumables, and event participation.
* **Evaluation of KICs:**
* Periodic evaluations are conducted by Khelo India Nodal Officers using a standardized assessment format.
* Evaluation parameters include fund utilization, training quality, athlete progress, participation levels, and overall functionality.
* **Fund Allocation Review:**
* The government regularly reviews fund allocation under the Khelo India Scheme, including for KICs.
* The aim is to ensure infrastructure development, quality coaching, and grassroots sports participation are not compromised.
* Fund allocation is demand-driven, based on proposals from States/UTs and eligible entities, assessed for feasibility and resource availability.
* Project execution is monitored, and accountability is ensured through audits and mandatory Utilization Certificates.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Khelo India Centres (KICs):**
* *Impact:* KICs receive financial support for coaching, equipment, and operations, playing a key role in strengthening the sports ecosystem at the district level.
* *Action Required:* KICs should submit proposals for funding based on their needs and ensure timely project execution, proper fund utilization, and compliance with audit requirements.
* **Past Champion Athletes (PCAs):**
* *Impact:* PCAs are engaged as coaches in KICs and receive remuneration.
* *Action Required:* PCAs are expected to provide quality coaching and contribute to the development of athletes.
* **State Governments/Union Territories:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for proposing projects and ensuring the effective implementation of the Khelo India Scheme at the local level.
* *Action Required:* States/UTs must submit feasible proposals for funding, monitor project execution, and ensure accountability through audits and Utilization Certificates.
* **Athletes:**
* *Impact:* Access to better infrastructure, quality coaching, and increased participation opportunities at the grassroots level.
* *Action Required:* Participate actively in training programs and competitions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The Indian government ministry responsible for youth affairs and sports.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade: The Member of Parliament who raised the question about allocation of grants for former athletes.
Khelo India Scheme: A national program for the development of sports in India.
Khelo India Centres (KICs): Sports centers established under the Khelo India Scheme to promote sports at the grassroots level.
Past Champion Athletes (PCAs): Former athletes engaged as coaches at Khelo India Centres.
DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA: The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
States/UTs: Refers to States and Union Territories of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3472
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Allocation of Grants for the Former Athletes
†3472. Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that there is a limited amount left for
the required training, equipment and the basic infrastructures after
allocating 60 per cent grants of Khelo India Centres (KICs) for the
remuneration of former athletes;
(b) if so, the details of average annual grants received by these KICs
excluding honorarium for athletes during 2022-2025;
(c) whether any independent evaluation has been carried out to assess that
these financial allocations are sufficient for the operational requirements
and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is planning to prepare a mechanism to review
the current fund allocation for KICs in order to ensure that the development
of infrastructure, access to quality coaching and grassroots level
participation are not be compromised; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
{ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }
(a) Yes, Sir. Under the Khelo India Scheme, each Khelo India Centre (KIC) is
eligible for a recurring annual grant of ₹5.00 lakh per sports discipline. Of
this, a maximum of ₹3.00 lakh is earmarked for the remuneration of Past
Champion Athletes (PCAs) who are engaged as coaches. The remaining
amount of ₹2.00 lakh is utilized for sports equipment, consumables, kits,
and participation in competitions or events. Additionally, a non-recurring
(one-time) grant of ₹5.00 lakh per discipline is also provided for
Page 1 of 2infrastructure enhancement, procurement of equipment, CCTV installation,
and minor up-gradation of training fields.
(b) The average annual grant received by KICs for each sports discipline,
excluding the honorarium of PCAs, during the period 2022–2025 is
approximately ₹2.00 lakh, which is utilized for training, equipment,
consumables and event participation.
(c) Periodic evaluations of Khelo India Centres are conducted to assess
operational effectiveness. These evaluations are carried out by designated
Khelo India Nodal Officers using a standardized assessment format that
covers parameters such as fund utilization, quality of training imparted,
athlete progress, participation levels, and overall functionality of the
Centre. These evaluations help ensure optimal implementation and
continuous improvement.
(d) and (e) The Government regularly reviews fund allocation under the
Khelo India Scheme, including for the Khelo India Centres (KICs), to ensure
that infrastructure development, access to quality coaching, and grassroots
sports participation are not compromised. KICs play a key role in
strengthening the sports ecosystem at the district level and receive
financial support for coaching, equipment, and operations. Fund allocation
is done through a transparent, demand-driven process based on proposals
from States/UTs and eligible entities, assessed for feasibility and resource
availability. Timely project execution is monitored, and accountability is
ensured through audits and mandatory Utilization Certificates.
*****
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