One vertical of the Khelo India Scheme, namely, ‘Sports for women’ caters specifically to promote sports among women: Kiren Rijiju

New Delhi: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is running various schemes for promotion of sports culture as well as attaining excellence in sports across the country. These schemes include(i) Khelo India Scheme (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations; (iii) Special Awards to Winners in International sports events and their Coaches; (iv) National Sports Awards, Pension to Meritorious Sports Persons; (v) National Sports Development Fund; and (vi) Sports Training Centres run through Sports Authority of India. The Ministry is also promoting rural and indigenous/tribal games under the ‘Khelo India Scheme’ and through the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ (EBSB) programme.The above Schemes are gender neutral and cater to both male and female sportspersons and take care of development of sports amongst women. Further, one vertical of the Khelo India Scheme, namely, ‘Sports for women’ caters specifically to promote sports among women. Details of these schemes are available in the public domain on the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The support is being provided in form of international standard sports infrastructure facilities, sports science backup, expert coaches and financial support to the athletes. Once the pandemic situation improves, it is being contemplated to start more leagues in the line of U-17 Khelo India Girls Football League.

This information was given by Minister of State for Youth Affairs & SportsShri Kiren Rijijuin a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.