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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1596
ANSWERED ON- 12/02/2026
DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS FACILITIES IN RURAL AND SEMI-URBAN AREAS
1596. SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state :-
(a) the steps taken to develop and upgrade sports infrastructure across the country, particularly in
rural and semi-urban areas and the funds allocated and utilized for this purpose;
(b) the measures undertaken to identify and nurture young sporting talent at the grassroots level,
including support for schools and academies and the outcomes achieved, so far; and
(c) the details of schemes for financial assistance, coaching, medical support and post-retirement
security for sportspersons and how these schemes have benefited athletes during the last three
years?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (c) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including
development and upgradation of sports infrastructure in rural and semi-urban areas, taking measures
to identify and nurture young sports talent at a grassroots level including support for schools and
academies and providing financial assistance, coaching, medical support and postretirement security
for sportspersons across the country, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory
Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps.
However, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports implements the following schemes to promote
sports in the country, including in in rural and semi-urban areas:
i. Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports;
ii. Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs);
iii. Cash Incentives to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their coaches;
iv. National Sports Awards;
v. Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons;
vi. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons;
vii. National Sports Development Fund;
viii. Running Sports Training centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI); and
ix. National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR).
Details of the above schemes are available in the public domain on the websites of this Ministry and
the Sports Authority of India.
Page 1 of 2The details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred under various Sports Development Schemes
of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports across the country, including in in rural and semi-urban
areas, during the last three years are as under:
(amount in ₹ crore)
Financial Year Funds allocated Expenditure incurred
2024-25 2332.50 2136.97
2023-24 2380.86 2329.35
2022-23 1907.69 1879.99
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