Three older sports schemes merged into one national programme with twelve verticals

Background

The Khelo India Scheme was formulated by merging the erstwhile Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), the Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and the National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS). RGKA had envisaged sports complexes in all blocks, USIS was the precursor to the infrastructure component, and NSTSS envisaged searching and nurturing sporting talent. 'Khelo India - National Programme for Development of Sports' was revamped with 12 verticals and launched in October, 2017. Its primary focus is a national level platform for athletes to showcase their talent and to be identified for further grooming and financial support. A Khelo India Athlete receives funding of Rs 6.28 lakh per annum, which includes Rs 10,000 per month as an out of pocket allowance, besides support for training, equipment, diet and education. 1000 Khelo India Centers are being set up at the district level, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has partnered with States to create the Khelo India State Center of Excellence. A national inventory of playfields and sports infrastructure has been prepared on a Geographic Information System, with 11,227 playfields geo-tagged. The Mission Olympic Cell was formed in April 2016 and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme was revamped to support elite athletes, while the FIT India Movement was launched as a people's movement on August 29, 2019.