Khele India Drive

The Khelo India Programme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India designed to revive the sporting culture in the country, strengthen infrastructure, and identify and nurture athletic talent at the grassroots level. Launched in 2017, it aims to make sports an integral part of daily life and position India as a global sporting nation through systematic talent development, capacity building, and inclusive participation.

Background and Rationale

The programme was introduced recognising that India’s vast pool of youth talent lacked adequate infrastructure, organised competitions, and professional training. Khelo India was therefore conceptualised as a comprehensive national framework to promote sports in schools and universities, modernise sports infrastructure, and create a robust talent identification system.
It also aligns with the government’s broader goals of youth empowerment, health improvement, and social cohesion through sports. By providing structured opportunities for participation and training, the scheme aspires to create a pipeline of athletes capable of excelling at national and international levels.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Khelo India scheme are:

• To promote sports as a tool for individual development, community building, and national pride.
• To identify and nurture young talent through structured training and competition.
• To create and upgrade sports infrastructure at the district and state levels.
• To strengthen the sports ecosystem by integrating physical education, coaching, and fitness programmes.
• To encourage inclusivity by focusing on women, differently abled athletes, and traditional Indian sports.

Major Components of the Programme

The scheme operates through several key components designed to cover all aspects of sports promotion and athlete development:

1. Creation and Upgradation of Sports Infrastructure: Establishment of new sports complexes, indoor halls, and synthetic tracks, as well as modernisation of existing facilities in schools and rural areas to ensure accessibility.
2. Talent Identification and Development: Young athletes are identified through national-level competitions and provided with scholarships, coaching, equipment, and exposure to professional training environments.
3. Khelo India Centres and Academies: Sports training centres have been set up across the country to provide specialised coaching. Each centre focuses on specific disciplines, supported by certified coaches and scientific support systems.
4. Sports Competitions under the Khelo India Brand:
   • Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG): Multi-sport event for under-17 and under-21 athletes, encouraging competition among emerging talent.
   • Khelo India University Games (KIUG): Platform for university-level athletes to showcase their abilities and transition into professional sports.
   • Khelo India Para Games: Dedicated events for athletes with disabilities, promoting inclusiveness and equal opportunity.
   • Khelo India Winter, Beach, and Indigenous Games: Efforts to popularise diverse and traditional sporting disciplines across regions.
5. Promotion of Fitness and Physical Education: The Khelo India Fitness Assessment Programme encourages schools to adopt structured physical education and monitor students’ fitness levels, promoting a culture of health and wellness.
6. Inclusivity and Community Development: The programme places emphasis on women’s participation, indigenous games, and sports in tribal and backward areas, ensuring balanced representation and national integration through sports.

Implementation Mechanism

The Khelo India scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) through the Sports Authority of India (SAI). It follows a convergent approach involving coordination between the central government, state governments, educational institutions, and sports federations.
Financial support is provided to states and Union Territories for infrastructure creation, equipment purchase, and conduct of sports competitions. Selected athletes, known as Khelo India Athletes (KIAs), receive annual scholarships covering coaching, boarding, travel, and competition exposure.

Achievements and Impact

Since its inception, the Khelo India programme has achieved substantial progress in expanding India’s sports base and improving performance indicators. Key achievements include:

• Establishment of hundreds of Khelo India Centres and academies across the country.
• Successful conduct of annual national-level games involving thousands of young athletes.
• Identification and support of over 3,000 Khelo India athletes in various disciplines.
• Upgradation of sports infrastructure in schools, universities, and rural regions.
• Enhanced representation of women and para-athletes in competitive sports.
• Revival and promotion of traditional and indigenous sports such as kabaddi, kho-kho, and mallakhamb.

The programme has significantly contributed to India’s performance in international tournaments by creating a structured pathway from grassroots participation to elite competition.

Challenges

Despite its success, the implementation of Khelo India faces several challenges:

• Uneven infrastructure development across states and rural–urban disparities.
• Shortage of qualified coaches and sports science professionals.
• Sustainability of funding and maintenance of facilities at the local level.
• Limited awareness among communities about sports as a viable career.
• Need for greater private sector involvement and corporate partnerships.

Future Directions

To strengthen its impact, the government aims to:

• Expand Khelo India Centres to every district.
• Integrate sports science, data analytics, and performance monitoring into training systems.
• Promote digital platforms for athlete management and fitness tracking.
• Increase collaboration between educational institutions and sports federations.
• Foster public–private partnerships for long-term sustainability and global competitiveness.