Parliament Question: Identification of sporting talent

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFYOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS) RAJYA SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTIONNO-3200 ANSWEREDON- 19/03/2026 IDENTIFICATIONOFSPORTING TALENT 3200.SHRIRAGHAV CHADHA Will theMinisterofYOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTSbepleased to state:- (a) themechanism adopted for identification ofsporting talent at the grassroots level; (b) the number of athletes identified and enrolled in development programmes during the last five years, year-wise; (c) thefinancial and training support provided to such athletes during thesaid period; and (d) themonitoringframework in place to track long-term athletedevelopment? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DR. MANSUKHMANDAVIYA) (a) to (d) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including adoption of mechanism for identification of sporting talent at the grassroot level, identification and enrollement of athletes in development programmes, providing financial and training support to athletes and monitoring long-term athlete development, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. However, 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 isscouted 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 therespectiveschemes. 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 districtlevel, where PastChampion Athletes serve as mentors andscouts. The number of athletes identified and enrolled under the Sports Authority of India’s Sports Promotional Schemes during thelast five years are as under:​ Page 1of2Year Athletes supported 2021-22 7,998 2022-23 9,169 2023-24 8,968 2024-25 9,555 2025-26 9,423 Further, the number of athletes supported under the Khelo India Scheme during the last five years are as under: Year Athletes supported 2021-22 2,816 2022-23 2,759 2023-24 2,752 2024-25 2,781 2025-26 2,904 Athletes identified under SAI Sports Promotional Schemes are provided comprehensive support in accordance with approved scheme norms, which include access to coaching, sports science support, sports equipment, sports kit, competition exposure, boarding and lodging, medical/insurance support, educational assistance and stipend, depending on the scheme. SAI’s scheme document for 2025-26 specifies financial norms for various components under STC, Extension Centres and NSTC, including sports kit, competition exposure, stipend, insurance and institutional equipment support.​ Under the Khelo India Talent Development programme, each identified Khelo India Athlete is provided annual financial assistance of up to ₹6.28 lakh per annum, which includes ₹1.20 lakh as out-of-pocket allowance and the balance towards coaching, sports science support, diet, equipment, consumables, insurance, lodging, travel for competitions/camps, education support and other admissibleexpenses. A monitoring framework is in place to track the long-term development of athletes admitted under SAI Sports Promotional Schemes. Close monitoring and half-yearly scientific assessment of athletes is undertaken by the Institutional/Regional Heads by utilizing in-house sports science facilities or by engaging reputed sports science institutions. Baseline performance at the time of admission, including battery of tests, sport-specific tests and performance appraisal records, is documented and used for periodic review, retention and weeding out decisions. Training diaries are also maintained in relevant schemes for continuous assessment of athleteprogression.​ In addition, under the Khelo India Scheme, planning and monitoring mechanisms are provided at the State and District levels, supported by structured institutional oversight under the scheme guidelines. **** Page 2of2