Parliament Question: Khelo India Scheme in Maharashtra

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2323 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 Khelo India Scheme in Maharashtra

2323. Smt. Supriya Sule:

Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad:

Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe:

Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare:

Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of Khelo India projects, sports infrastructure, Khelo India Centres, training centres and athlete development initiatives sanctioned in Maharashtra during the last five years and the current year, district- wise;

(b) the details of number of accredited academies, athletes and coaches supported under the programme in the State, along with the financial assistance sanctioned, released and utilised;

(c) whether the Government has assessed the challenges in implementing Khelo India in Maharashtra, including shortage of qualified coaches, inadequate sports infrastructure, delays in release of funds, limited access to sports science, nutrition and sports medicine facilities and low participation from rural, tribal and aspirational districts and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of corrective measures taken by the Government to strengthen talent identification, quality coaching and competitive opportunities for young athletes in the State; and

(e) whether additional Khelo India Centres, infrastructure upgrades and equitable funding are proposed for underserved districts in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof? Page 1 of 3ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ]

(a) to (e) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility for development of sports, including development of sports infrastructure and training facilities, academies, athletes and coaches, identification and nurturing of sporting talent, provision of competitive opportunities, and addressing the requirements of sports science, nutrition and sports medicine, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. The Khelo India Scheme is being implemented across the country, including in the State of Maharashtra, with the objective of strengthening sports infrastructure, identifying and nurturing sporting talent and providing structured training and competition opportunities to athletes. Under the Scheme, support is

provided through Khelo India Centres (KICs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAAs), Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) and other components of the Scheme. The details of sports infrastructure projects approved and their sanctioned cost, funds released and physical and financial progress, as well as details of KICs, KISCEs, KIAAs and KIAs across the country, including the State of Maharashtra, are available in the public domain on the Ministry’s dashboards at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in.

The implementation of the Khelo India Scheme is continuously monitored through established review and monitoring mechanisms and regular interaction with State Governments, implementing agencies and other stakeholders. The Government has taken various measures to strengthen talent identification and development, including identification of sporting talent through Khelo India competitions and Talent Identification and Development initiatives, provision of structured training through Khelo India Centres, Khelo India State Centres of Excellence and Khelo India Accredited Academies, and support for coaching, sports science, sports medicine, nutrition and competition exposure, as per the extant Scheme guidelines.

The Government continues to strengthen the Khelo India initiative through its existing components, with emphasis on grassroots sports development, identification and nurturing of sporting talent and providing structured training and support to athletes. The Khelo India Scheme is a demand-driven scheme. Proposals received from the Page 2 of 3State/Union Territory Governments and other eligible entities for development of sports infrastructure and expansion of sports development initiatives are considered for financial support, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility, infrastructure gaps, sporting potential, readiness for implementation and availability of funds under the Scheme.

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