Parliament Question: Khelo India-National Programme for Development of Sports

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 311 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 Khelo India-National Programme for Development of Sports

311. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:

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

(a) the details of the total funds allocated and utilised under the Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports since its inception in the country, year and State/UT-wise, particularly in Tamil Nadu;

(b) the details of the number of athletes, schools and training centres which have been selected or supported under the said scheme in Tamil Nadu;

(c) whether any proposals from the State Government of Tamil Nadu for setting up of Khelo India Centres, sports infrastructure or training academies are pending with the Union Government and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the measures taken by the Government to promote indigenous sports for rural talent and gender equality in sports under the said scheme in Tamil Nadu; and

(e) whether the Government is considering an increase in financial assistance and talent identification in Southern States like Tamil Nadu, where significant sports potential remains underutilised and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ] Page 1 of 3(a) Funds are allocated and released Scheme-wise and not State-wise under the Khelo India Scheme in this Ministry. The details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred under Khelo India Scheme, since its inception across the country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu, are as

under: (amount in ₹ crore) Financial Funds Expenditure Year allocated incurred 2016-17 118.10 118.10 2017-18 350.00 346.99 2018-19 500.09 342.24 2019-20 578.00 575.52 2020-21 328.77 338.06 2021-22 869.00 764.29 2022-23 600.00 596.39 2023-24 880.00 872.20 2024-25 746.54 620.75

(b) The details of Khelo India Athletes (KIA), Khelo India Centres (KIC), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) and Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAA), along with sports disciplines covered under these centres, across the country, including Arani Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu, are available in the public domain on the

dashboard of the Ministry at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in.

(c) and (e) The Ministry has received proposals for development of sports infrastructure under the Khelo India Scheme from the State Government of Tamil Nadu. The Khelo India Scheme is a demand driven scheme. The proposals received from the State/ UT Government and other eligible entities, including for strengthening talent identification support in Southern States, are considered for financial support, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility and availability of funds under the scheme.

(d) The ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’ sub-component of the Khelo India Scheme, is specifically dedicated to the development and promotion of rural and indigenous games in the country. Indigenous games like Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified for promotion under this component and Page 2 of 3were made part of Khelo India Games. In addition, the ‘Sports for Women’ vertical under ‘Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports’ component of the Khelo India Scheme, is specifically dedicated to encouragement of women in sports across the country.

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