Achievements have come from the Khelo India Mission

Source: The post achievements have come from the Khelo India Mission has been created, based on the article “Khelo India: Perfect present, bright future” published in “The Hindu” on 13th March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Human Resources

Context: The article discusses the success and growth of the Khelo India Games, focusing on new achievements, infrastructure, talent identification, and support for athletes. It highlights the government’s efforts in promoting sports and nurturing young talent in India. Achievements have come from the Khelo India Mission

For details information on Khelo India Mission read here

What are the new additions to the Khelo India Games?

Youth Games in the South: For the first time, the Youth Games were held in Tamil Nadu, adopting a multi-city approach for better access to venues.

University Games in the Northeast: The first-ever University Games spanned seven northeastern States, with Assam hosting 16 sports.

Focus on Indigenous Sports: Added emphasis was placed on local sports like Yogasana, Gatka, Mallakhamba, Silambam, and Kalaripayattu, which saw overwhelming participation.

Winter Games in Ladakh: A portion of the Khelo India Winter Games was hosted in Ladakh for the first time, featuring ice hockey and ice skating.

What achievements have come from the Khelo India Mission?

Increased Medal Count: In 2022, Khelo India athletes won 312 medals, a significant rise from 2018 where 92 athletes won 82 medals.

International Success: Athletes from the Khelo India ecosystem have shown consistent success in international events like the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.

Balanced Participation: The male-to-female ratio in the four Khelo India Games this season was nearly 50:50, demonstrating a strong commitment to gender equality in sports.

What are the government efforts in promoting sports in India?

Supporting Athlete Careers: The government offers jobs to deserving Khelo India medal winners, ensuring a stable future for athletes beyond their sporting careers.

Infrastructure Development: Over 300 sports infrastructure projects have been approved in 34 States/UTs, with funding exceeding ₹3,000 crore, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing sports facilities.

Talent Identification: A two-tier structure, including a Scouting Committee and a Developmental Panel, is in place for selecting genuine talent. Currently, approximately 2,800 athletes across 21 sports disciplines have been chosen as Khelo India athletes.

Gender Equality in Sports: Efforts to maintain a near-equal male-to-female athlete ratio and the successful Asmita Khelo India Women’s League are examples of promoting gender equality in sports.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key initiatives and achievements of the Khelo India Mission in promoting sports and nurturing young talent in India.