Gujarat Government Increases Sports Budget by 41 Percent, Minister States

Gandhinagar, March 21 (NationPress) While discussing the budgetary needs of the Department of Sports, Youth, and Cultural Activities during the Gujarat Assembly session, Minister Harsh Sanghvi highlighted that youth represent the future of the nation.

He affirmed that the Gujarat government is dedicated to enhancing sports awareness, skill development, and a spirit of sportsmanship among the youth to empower them to be stronger, sharper, and more resilient. Minister Sanghvi acknowledged the significant advancements Gujarat has achieved in sports over the past two years and championed the slogan ‘Ramse Gujarat, Jitse Gujarat’ (Gujarat Plays, Gujarat Wins).

He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai for an additional allocation of Rs 250 crore over the previous year, signifying a 41 per cent increase in the sports budget. Sanghvi noted that the idea of ‘Sports as a Profession’ is gaining traction in Gujarat. The government has introduced a dedicated sports policy to ensure that the youth stay both physically and mentally fit.

He reflected on how Gujarat was once overlooked in the sports arena but has now established itself as a formidable player. In the last two years, athletes from Gujarat have secured a total of 808 medals at national competitions, including 225 gold, 244 silver, and 339 bronze medals.

On the international front, Gujarat’s athletes have clinched 104 medals, comprising 26 gold, 40 silver, and 38 bronze. During the discussion, the minister showcased the accomplishments of OP Bhilar, a tribal farmer’s daughter from the Dang district. Recognized as a young talent in 2014 through the government’s Talent Identification Process, Bhilar has represented Gujarat in 14 national Kho-Kho competitions, winning five national medals. She was also part of the Indian team that triumphed at the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup in Delhi, bringing honor to both Gujarat and the nation.

The Gujarat government is rolling out various schemes such as Khel Mahakumbh, Centre of Excellence, Shaktidut Yojana, and Olympic Readiness Programmes to enhance sports infrastructure. The minister pointed out that since the inception of Khel Mahakumbh in 2010 by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has seen a remarkable rise in participation. From only 16 sports and 16.5 lakh participants in 2010, the event has now expanded to 39 sports, including 50 para-sports, with more than 71 lakh participants in 2024. Under Khel Mahakumbh 3.0, an inclusive approach has been adopted by incorporating 17 new categories for athletes with disabilities.

Furthermore, a Para High-Performance Centre is being established in Gandhinagar with a budget of Rs 316 crore to assist para-athletes. “To boost Gujarat’s presence in national and international competitions, the government has launched the Shaktidut 2.0 scheme. This initiative provides financial support of up to Rs 30 lakh per athlete annually. The program, which was initially available to players aged 12 and above, has now been expanded to include athletes as young as nine years. A budget allocation of Rs 2.55 crore has been set aside for this initiative in the 2025-26 fiscal year,” he explained.

“The government is making significant investments in sports infrastructure, with 23 district sports complexes and five taluka-level sports centres currently operational. Additionally, 13 new district sports complexes and 19 taluka-level centres are being constructed at a cost of Rs 370 crore. Recently, the state inaugurated modern sports facilities in Tapi, Vadnagar, and Patan, which include synthetic athletic tracks, football fields, and multipurpose indoor halls,” he added.

The budget also allocates Rs 5 crore for the revival of traditional fairs and cultural events that enhance the local economy. In the education sector, the Gujarat government has dedicated Rs 120 crore for the development of libraries, with 3,385 libraries currently functioning across the state.

Minister Sanghvi remarked that Gujarat has made considerable progress in promoting reading habits and that the government is striving to make libraries more accessible. To celebrate the state’s linguistic heritage, the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi organized a ‘Matrubhasha Mahotsav’ on International Mother Language Day at 365 locations. Thousands of citizens took part in the ‘My Signature in My Mother Tongue’ campaign, reaffirming their commitment to preserving the Gujarati language.