&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Union Budget 2026: Govt proposes Khelo India Mission to boost sports sector")
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of the “Khelo India Mission” during her presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament on Sunday (Feb 1). The mission will focus on training coaches and support staff, integrating sports science and technology, organising competitions and leagues to build a strong sports culture and to reshape the country’s sports ecosystem over the next decade. She also highlighted that the sports sector can generate employment, develop skills and offer promising career opportunities.
“The Sports Sector provides multiple means of employment, skilling and job opportunities. Taking forward the systematic nurturing of sports talent which is set in motion through the Khelo India programme, I propose to launch a Khelo India Mission to transform the Sports sector over the next decade,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech.
Also Read - IND vs PAK, U19 WC 2026: When and where to watch India vs Pakistan match live streaming in India?
The Finance Minister further emphasized on improving the sports infrastructure for training and competitions. This plan comes as India prepares to host the 100th Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030 and considers a bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
The 'Khelo India' initiative was proposed by the government of India in 2017 with the primary focus of creating a national-level platform for athletes to showcase their talent and to identify them for further grooming and financial support. The initiative also focused on building better sporting infrastructure and academies nationwide across various sports.
Under this movement, the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), the Khelo India University Games (KIUG), and the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) were established as annual national sports competitions in which young people representing their states and universities, respectively, showcased their skills and competed for medals.
With inputs from agencies
Trending Stories
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters with most runs in India vs Zimbabwe T20Is
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 uses solid rocket fuel instead of liquid fuel
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
Jail over Khamenei post: J&K youth returns home after 3 months in Saudi custody
)
'We acted immediately...': Indian PM Modi breaks silence on paper leaks as NEET protest, calls for Education Minister's resignation grows
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
)
Iran strikes Amazon data infrastructure in Bahrain, power, water desalination plants in Kuwait
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
)
3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
)
'Now come to us': CJP resumes protest after Parliament march violence, calls meeting with Nadda 'waste of time'
