New Delhi, Dec 2: On Monday, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the Khelo India Scheme has successfully identified 2,781 athletes across 21 sports disciplines, including para-athletics, and is offering them vital support through the Khelo India Talent Development program.
“The Khelo India Scheme aims to recognize and cultivate talent via its Khelo India Talent Development program, which supports athletes participating in 21 sports, including para-athletics, by adhering to established guidelines and benchmarks,” Mandaviya stated in a written response in Lok Sabha.
“Currently, 2,781 Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) have been selected under this Scheme, receiving assistance in coaching, equipment provision, medical care, and a monthly Out of Pocket Allowance (OPA),” he elaborated.
These recognized athletes, referred to as Khelo India Athletes (KIAs), are undergoing training at National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) under the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and various accredited academies.
Mandaviya asserted that the program is enhancing India’s sports talent pool and contributing to the nation’s increasing success on the global platform.
The minister also provided details of the Khelo India athletes who participated and achieved notable recognition for the country in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and the Paris Olympics.
“During the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, 124 of the 644 Indian athletes were KIAs, contributing significantly to India’s medal tally with 42 out of 106 medals, including 9 Gold medals,” he noted.
“For the Paris 2024 Olympics, 28 KIAs were included in the Indian delegation of 117 athletes, underscoring the program’s continuous success and the essential role of KIAs in boosting India’s performance in both national and international sports events.”
Promotion of Traditional and Rural Sports Under Khelo India Scheme
Mandaviya emphasized that the ‘Promotion of Rural and Indigenous/Tribal Games’ is a vital aspect of the Khelo India Scheme, aimed at fostering rural and indigenous games throughout the nation.
“Games such as Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana, and Silambam have been selected for promotion under this initiative, and they feature prominently in the annually held Khelo India University/Youth Games,” he stated.
“Grants are allocated for infrastructure development, equipment support, coaching appointments, coach training, and scholarships for the identified athletes under this component.” (PTI)
