Parliament Question: Sports Ecosystem in Maharashtra

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3485 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 Sports Ecosystem in Maharashtra 3485. Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad: Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh: Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare: Smt. Supriya Sule: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has prepared any roadmap with the State Government of Maharashtra to strengthen sports infrastructure and promote a vibrant sporting ecosystem in the State; (b) the details of financial assistance sanctioned and released under Khelo India and other Central schemes for the establishment of sports academies, Centres of Excellence, synthetic athletic tracks, indoor stadiums and sports training facilities in the said State during the last three years and the current year; (c) whether the Government has any proposal to strengthen the identification, nurturing and developing of sporting talent, particularly among rural, tribal and women athletes, through enhanced coaching, sports science and modern sports infrastructure in the said State and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in coordination with the State Government of Maharashtra, to promote sports participation, facilities for hosting national and international sporting events and develop world-class sports infrastructure in the said State? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ] Page 1 of 3(a) to (d) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility for development of sports, development and strengthening of sports infrastructure, establishment of sports academies, Centres of Excellence, synthetic athletic tracks, indoor stadiums and other sports training facilities, promotion of sports participation and sporting ecosystem, and identification, nurturing and development of sporting talent, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements these efforts by bridging the critical gaps. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements the following schemes for the promotion of sports in the country, including in the State of Maharashtra: 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. The details of sports infrastructure projects approved, sanctioned cost, funds released, and physical and financial progress, as well as details of Khelo India Centres (KICs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAAs) and Khelo India Athletes (KIAs), across the country, including in the State of Maharashtra, are available in the public domain on the dashboard of this Ministry at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in. This Ministry, in coordination with the State Governments and other stakeholders, continues to strengthen the sports ecosystem through development of modern sports infrastructure, expansion of high- performance training facilities and Centres of Excellence, promotion of national-level competitions and support for hosting major sporting events. Page 2 of 3Further, the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations plays a pivotal role in advancing India’s long-term goal of becoming a global sporting powerhouse. The scheme ensures robust grassroots development, professional coaching, scientific support to athletes, and increased exposure through support to NSFs for hosting and participation in international sporting events. It also prioritizes grassroots development and capacity building of coaches and technical staff. Collectively, these measures enhance competitiveness of our athletes/teams in international events and strategically position the nation for successfully hosting mega sports events like the Olympics. ***** Page 3 of 3