Aim and Objectives of the Programme

The Khelo India Programme aims at developing a sporting culture in the country, identifying talent from the grassroots and grooming it for international success. Its intention is to build a strong framework for every sport played in the country and to make India a strong sporting nation. To achieve this, the programme has outlined twelve verticals.

The twelve verticals of Khelo India

1. Play Field Development - one-time funding of up to Rs 50 lakh to States/UTs to develop, manage, equip and maintain playing fields and open spaces for public use.
2. Community Coaching Development - developing community coaches on a cascading model; about 2,000 existing PETs are trained each year as master trainers, who in turn train other PETs and volunteers as community coaches.
3. State Level Khelo India Centres - using available resources (coaches, staff, equipment, fields) through an MoU between SAI and States/UTs; online coaching and education through "Khel Pathshalas."
4. Annual Sports Competitions - national competitions such as the Khelo India National School Games and the Khelo India National University Games, which are also major channels for talent spotting.
5. Talent Identification and Development - selecting players from 16 priority sports; selected players join SAI or top academies with annual financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for 8 years based on performance.
6. Utilisation and Creation/Upgradation of Sports Infrastructure - using existing infrastructure and creating new facilities, including a University Centre of Excellence component.
7. Support to National/Regional/State Sports Academies - identifying public and private academies for need-based financial support.
8. Physical Fitness - emphasis on the physical fitness of school children, with a national physical-fitness assessment kit for every school and a grading system to encourage competition among schools.
9. Sports for Women - all components are gender-neutral, and this vertical holds special national competitions for women, with emphasis on disciplines where women's participation is low.
10. Sports for Peace and Development - a special package for Jammu & Kashmir (and other disturbed areas) with coaches, equipment and competitions for positive engagement of youth.
11. Promotion of Sports Among Persons with Disabilities - financial assistance for specialist infrastructure, classification of players, equipment and preparation of teams for the Paralympic Games.
12. Promotion of Rural and Indigenous/Tribal Games - annual competitions to showcase and encourage rural and indigenous/tribal games. …