Kolkata, August 2: The West Bengal government is set to enhance its sports infrastructure with the announcement of 100 new indoor sports arenas. Sports Minister Indranil Khan praised the increased funding provided to national sports federations under the ‘Khelo India’ scheme, stating that it will help develop more top-level athletes from the state.
The Khelo India program is expected to significantly promote sports in West Bengal. Each assembly constituency will receive ₹5 crore, facilitating the construction of these indoor facilities.
Khan expressed optimism that the Khelo India scheme would foster athletic talent in the region. He acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote sports and athletes, highlighting the state’s preparations to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036. He emphasized the goal of increasing podium finishes for Indian athletes.
This initiative will provide athletes with professional coaching, nutritional support, and exposure, helping them transition from grassroots to professional levels. The central government’s backing is crucial for supporting athletes.
With the increased budget, the Khelo India scheme aims to provide a significant boost to athletes across India. The Prime Minister’s leadership has also initiated the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ program, aimed at eradicating drug abuse from society.
Discussing the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ initiative, Minister Khan stated, “This initiative will raise awareness among youth about the importance of living a drug-free, healthy life, which will help the nation achieve success in every field.”
Under the leadership of PM Modi, the central cabinet approved an enhancement of the Khelo India scheme, allocating a total expenditure of ₹36,441 crore for the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31. This reaffirms the government’s commitment to harnessing sports for youth development and nation-building.
This is the largest sports development program in India since independence. It represents a significant boost to the aspirations of young athletes and is expected to bring about substantial changes in the coming decade.
The approved budget is nearly eight times that of the previous Khelo India scheme, demonstrating the government’s commitment to using sports as a foundation for youth development and making India a global sports powerhouse.
The new scheme is designed to create a seamless pathway for every talented young Indian, from school sports fields and village arenas to Olympic podiums. Its goal is to ensure that no sports talent goes unnoticed due to location, economic background, or lack of opportunity.
The revamped Khelo India scheme includes a comprehensive athlete development pathway aimed at supporting young players from talent identification to scientific training, international competition, and Olympic preparation.
In conjunction with the new Khelo India initiative, the government has also approved strengthening the ‘Support to National Sports Federations’ scheme for the period of 2026-31.
This program will assist Indian athletes and teams through funding for coaching, sports science, modern equipment, international experience, coaching camps, and participation in major international competitions. It will also support sports collaboration with countries in the Global South and promote India’s traditional sports on an international level.
The new Khelo India scheme represents one of the largest investments in India’s sporting future. It is not merely a sports program but a national mission to empower young Indians with opportunities, confidence, and excellence.
The objective of this initiative is to prepare champions, inspire a culture of fitness, strengthen India’s sports ecosystem, and move towards the vision of ‘Developed India 2047’, positioning the country among the leading sports nations globally.
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