Agencies, Bhubaneswar
Khelo India, a programme strives to promote “Sports for All” as well as “Sports for Excellence, will be launched at a cost of Rs 1,756 crore, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today said.
Addressing functions at Yuva Sambardhana Utsav organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Odisha Zone at KIIT Campus, Mr Rrathore said the programme aimed at mainstreaming sports as a tool for individual, community, economic d and national development will be launched for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20 in the country.
The revamped Khelo India Programme would impact the entire sports ecosystem, including infrastructure, community sports, talent identification, coaching for excellence, competition structure and sports economy, he said.
Describing some of the salient features of the Programme, the Union Sports Minister said a new Pan Indian Sports Scholarship scheme, which would cover 1,000 most talented young athletes each year across select sports disciplines will be introduced.
This is the first time ever that a long-term athlete development pathway would be made available to gifted and talented youngsters to excel in competitive sports and will create a pool of highly competitive athletes who can compete to win at the world stage. 2018 will be celebrated as Year of Sports, Mr Rathore said.
The Programme will promote 150 selected schools in 150 districts and 20 Universities across the country as hubs of sporting excellence, which would enable talented sports persons to pursue the dual pathway of education and competitive sports.
The government has earmarked Rs.1000 Crore for this programme, he said. The Khelo India Campaign would cover about 200 million children in the age group of 10-18 under a massive national physical fitness drive, which will not only measure the physical fitness of all children in the age group, but also support their fitness related activities.
The Union Sports Minister said, as per the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sports will be given priority in School, College and University level under Khelo India Campaign.
Under the programme, a campaign will be launched from January 31, 2018 to February 8, 2018 to spot Under-17 years sports talents in schools which will be telecast live. Likewise another such programme will be launched for Under-21 years college students.
The Minister said, “Our aim is 2024 and 2028 Olympics. The spotted talents will be imparted specialized training to make them medal winners. Our youths and students are highly talented,” he said. They will be provided enough opportunity and environment as well as sports infrastructure to excel in this field,” said Col. Rathore.
