Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Khelo India Scheme Expands Funding and Athlete Support Nationwide
India is putting much more money into helping athletes become better.
The new Khelo India Scheme will run from 2026 to 2031.
It wants to help many more athletes than the 3,000 currently supported.
Children can be found and trained through schools, local centers and competitions.
The plan connects beginner training to advanced training for top athletes.
It also aims to improve coaches, sports science and the use of technology.
Telangana already has many Khelo India centers and academies.
The state will host the Khelo India Youth Games later this year.
The 2026–31 Khelo India Scheme has an outlay of ₹29,054 crore, described as eight times the previous allocation.
The scheme aims to support 10 times more athletes than the current 3,000 Khelo India athletes across 22 sports.
It will build a grassroots-to-elite pathway, expand competitions to districts, and connect sports programs with schools and universities.
A National Coach Accreditation Board will classify and develop coaches across foundational, grassroots, intermediate and elite levels.
Telangana has 33 Khelo India Centres, 19 accredited academies and will host the Khelo India Youth Games later this year.
- Who
- The Union sports ministry, the Sports Authority of India, states and athletes are involved; Jwala Gutta and Telangana sports officials also welcomed the scheme.
- What
- The 2026–31 Khelo India Scheme will significantly increase funding, athlete support, infrastructure, competitions and coaching development.
- When
- The new scheme covers 2026–31, while the Khelo India Youth Games are scheduled to be hosted by Telangana later this year.
- Where
- The scheme applies across India, with specific programs and facilities highlighted in Telangana.
- Why
- The plan is intended to improve India’s medal prospects internationally as the country pushes to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
- Scheme period
- 2026–31
- Planned outlay
- ₹29,054 crore
- Current athlete support
- 3,000 Khelo India athletes across 22 sports
- Telangana Khelo India Centres
- 33 centres, training more than 601 athletes
- State Centre of Excellence
- One operational centre in Medchal-Malkajgiri supporting 254 athletes
- Accredited academies
- 19 academies in Telangana covering sports including athletics, gymnastics, shooting, badminton and football
- Women’s participation
- 127 ASMITA leagues in Telangana involving 20,921 female athletes