Parliament Question: Promotion of Sports in Lakshadweep

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 203 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 Promotion of Sports in Lakshadweep 203. Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to extend the benefits of the Khelo India Programme to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep; (b) whether the Government has assessed the need for strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting sports talent in Lakshadweep under the said Programme; (c) whether any proposal has been received from the Lakshadweep Administration or public representatives for inclusion of the said Territory under the said Programme; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government for developing sports infrastructure, providing training facilities and identifying and nurturing sporting talent among the youth of Lakshadweep? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ] (a) to (d) The Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports is being implemented across the country, including in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, with the objective of promoting sports at the grassroots level, identifying and nurturing sporting talent and strengthening the sports ecosystem. The Khelo India Scheme is a demand-driven scheme. The proposals received from the State/ Union Territory Governments and other eligible entities for development of sports infrastructure and other components under the Scheme are Page 1 of 2considered for financial support, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility, infrastructure gaps, sporting potential, readiness for implementation and availability of funds under the Scheme. The details of various sports facilities under the Khelo India Scheme, such as Sports Infrastructure, Khelo India Centres (KIC), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) and Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAA) along with Khelo India Athletes (KIA), across the country, including in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, are available in the public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in. ***** Page 2 of 2