Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The government’s flagship Khelo India programme, aimed at identifying grassroots sporting talent, is set for a major push after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to launch a Khelo India mission that will also prioritise the long-term development of training centres and coaches over the next decade.While presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, Sitharaman said the proposed mission would enable an integrated talent development framework through interconnected pathways. Launched in 2017, the Khelo India programme initially focused on organising national-level competitions across age groups to identify emerging talent.
“Sports sector provides multiple means of employment, skilling and job opportunities. Taking forward the systematic nurturing of sports talent which is set in motion through the Khelo India programme, I propose to launch a Khelo India mission to transform the sports sector over the next decade,” Sitharaman said during her Budget speech in the Lok Sabha.She added that the mission will facilitate several key areas of growth.“The mission will facilitate: (a) an integrated talent development pathway supported by training centres which are foundational, intermediate and elite levels; (b) systematic development of coaches and support staff; (c) integration of sports science and technology; (d) competitions and leagues to promote sports culture and provide platforms; (e) development of sports infrastructure for training and competition.”The Finance Minister also highlighted India’s potential to become a global centre for high-quality, affordable sports equipment.“I proposed a dedicated initiative for sports goods that will promote manufacturing, research and innovation in equipment design as well as material sciences,” she said.Recently, a Sports Ministry-appointed task force headed by Pullela Gopichand had called for increased focus on creating a strong pool of high-quality coaches. The panel recommended introducing a Target Olympic Podium Scheme for coaches, ensuring they receive financial backing similar to elite athletes to strengthen India’s medal ambitions.India is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has also submitted a bid to stage the Olympic Games in 2036.
