Parliament Question: Delay in KISCE Project in Uttar Pradesh

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2459 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025 Delay in KISCE Project in Uttar Pradesh 2459. Shri Pushpendra Saroj: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, which was approved in 2021 continues to remain non- operational; (b) if so, the reasons for the delay in operationalising the Centre despite approval and sanctioning of manpower under the said scheme; (c) whether any specific timeline has been set by the Government to complete infrastructure upgrades, hire the required staff, and begin athlete induction in the disciplines of hockey and athletics; and (d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to ensure that the said KISCE project may not face further delays along with significant contribution to national sporting talent? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ] (a) to (d) The Ministry has approved the setting up of the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, Lucknow. However, operationalization of KISCEs is a collaborative process requiring alignment with the sporting priorities of the respective State Governments. To ensure the centre effectively serves the sporting ecosystem of the region, the disciplines allocated to the Centre were reviewed and subsequently modified in 2025, at the request of the grantee. Following this modification, the terms of the project have been Page 1 of 2revisited, along with a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The upgradation of infrastructure, engagement of sanctioned manpower, and induction of athletes are consequential steps that follow the finalization of the revised modalities. ***** Page 2 of 2