The Central Government has opened its treasury to strengthen the Khelo India campaign in the country. A huge amount of Rs 900 crore will be given to Khela India in the interim budget. Hosting the 2036 Olympics will also be the target of Khelo India. A major part of this amount will be used for the construction of Naranpura Sports Complex in Ahmedabad and Sigra Sports Complex in Varanasi. The budget also takes into account the preparations for this year’s Paris Olympics, due to which the financial assistance given to national sports federations and the assistance given to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has also been increased. However, compared to the budget of Rs 3,397.32 crore for financial year 2023-24, there has been a marginal increase of Rs 340 crore in the sports and youth affairs budget for 2024-25.
Preparation of Naranpura complex to host Olympics will be intensified
There was a funding of Rs 1,000 crore for Khelo India in the budget of 2023-24, but later this amount was reduced to Rs 880 crore and now the budget is around Rs 900 crore. Through this fund, apart from creating sports infrastructure in specific places of the country, youth and university sports can be organized and players can be given an incentive amount of Rs 50 thousand per month. Through this scheme, there is a budget of about Rs 300 crore for creating various sports facilities in Naranpura Sports Complex. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already expressed his desire to host the 2036 Olympics and Ahmedabad is the frontrunner in the race.
Rs 825 crore will be allocated for Olympic preparations
Keeping in mind the preparations for the Paris Olympics to be held in July and August, Cena’s budget has been increased from Rs 796 crore to Rs 825 crore. The budget of the National Sports Association has also been increased from Rs 325 crore to Rs 340 crore. Due to the court order, the association is not getting direct financial assistance from the Sports Ministry, but this amount is being spent on the preparations of the players. With this amount, facilities like foreign tours, national camps, foreign coaches will be provided to various sports teams of India. Rs 325 crore will be spent for the development of sports in the north-eastern states.