West Bengal Sports Minister Indranil Khan on 2 August praised the Union government's revamped Khelo India Scheme, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's backing a 'massive boost' for the next generation of athletes. The remarks came after the Union Cabinet approved a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore for the expanded Khelo India Scheme and enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) covering the period 2026–27 to 2030–31 — nearly eight times the previous scheme's allocation.

West Bengal's Share and Plans

Under the revamped programme, each assembly constituency in West Bengal is set to receive ₹5 crore, and the state government is planning to establish 100 indoor sports arenas. Khan described the scheme as timely, given that India is gearing up to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and has set its sights on the 2036 Olympics.

'We are thankful to the Prime Minister for the way he has encouraged sports and sportspersons. We are gearing up to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036. We are also increasing our podium finishes. With that vision in mind, Khelo India is already a phenomenal scheme to promote the next generation of athletes,' Khan said.

What the Revamped Scheme Covers

The expanded Khelo India framework establishes an integrated nationwide sports ecosystem comprising National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), Khelo India Centres of Excellence (KICoEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAAs), Khelo India Centres (KICs), and Youth Sports Companies (YSCs) of the Armed Forces. Two new school-level initiatives — Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS) and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas (KIUV) — will integrate sports with mainstream education for early talent identification.

A new Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs) category will expand the structured athlete development ecosystem by nearly ten times, bringing thousands of additional young athletes under professional coaching and long-term mentoring. The scheme also maps a clear progression pathway from grassroots competitions to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Focus on Inclusion and Athlete Support

Special emphasis has been placed on expanding opportunities for women athletes, para-athletes, and indigenous sports. The revamped scheme also provides support for organising the National Games and hosting major international sporting events in India. A National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) will be established to standardise coaching qualifications and strengthen coaching capacity across the country.

Khan highlighted that the scheme supports athletes 'from the grassroots level to the professional stage with professional coaching, nutritional support and exposure,' adding that the increased budget would deliver a 'big boost to sportspersons in India.'

Nasha Mukht Bharat and Sports Against Substance Abuse

Khan also welcomed the Union government's 'Nasha Mukht Bharat' initiative, which aims to eradicate drug abuse among youth. He said the programme 'will spread awareness among the youth about the importance of leading a drug free, healthy life,' and would help the nation reach 'major milestones in every field.' The revamped Khelo India scheme itself includes sports-based outreach against substance abuse as part of the expanded Fit India Movement.

What Comes Next

A unified digital sports platform integrating athlete databases, infrastructure, competitions, coaching resources and talent assessments is envisaged under the scheme. The government will also deepen collaboration with private academies and corporate partners to leverage investment and innovation in sports infrastructure. With the 2036 Olympics bid in view and the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision as a backdrop, the scheme is being positioned as the country's most ambitious sports development programme since independence.