Parliament Question: Opeartionalising Khelo India Excellence Centre at Gulmarg

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFYOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS) RAJYA SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTIONNO-3199 ANSWEREDON- 19/03/2026 OPEARTIONALISING KHELOINDIA EXCELLENCE CENTRE ATGULMARG

3199.SHRICHOWDRYMOHAMMAD RAMZAN

Will theMinisterofYOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTSbepleased to state:-

(a) whether Khelo India Excellence Centre for Winter Games, announced in 2021 and inaugurated in 2022 at Gulmarg during the 2nd Khelo India Winter Games, remains non-existent on the ground with novisibleprogress;

(b) the reasons for this delay, current status of land acquisition, funding, infrastructure approvals along witha revised timelinefor completion;and

(c) how the absence of this centre has increased training costs and challenges for winter athletes and the measures being taken tooperationalize itat theearliest? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DR. MANSUKHMANDAVIYA)

(a) to (c) Under the Khelo India Scheme, Khelo India State Centres of Excellence are established in collaboration with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations by upgrading existing sports facilities to high-performance standards. The establishment of such centres is a demand-driven process in which proposals are received from the respective State/UT Governments and examined through a Viability Gap Analysis to assess requirements relating to equipment, coaching and sports science support.

At present, 35 KISCEs have been notified across 34 States/UTs, including two in Jammu & Kashmir. Thedevelopment ofa specialised Winter Sports Centreat Gulmarg requires finalisation of suitable land, preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), and requisite administrative and financial approvals in coordination with theUT Administration.

Meanwhile, the Government continues to promote winter sports through initiatives under the Khelo India Scheme, including the organisation of six editions of the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg and Leh with participation of over 5,200 athletes. Equipment procured for these Games is retained locally to support athlete training.

Further, 100 Khelo India Centres have been approved in J&K, employing 91 Past Champion Athletes as coaches to train about 2,448 sportspersons. Identified athletes from the UT also receive annual financial assistance of ₹6.28 lakh each, including ₹10,000 per month as Out-of-Pocket Allowance, tomeet training anddietary expenses.

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