India is all set to play in the Asian Games later this year and the Paris Olympics next year. The centre has furthered its efforts in strengthening the sports arena by allocating the highest ever budget of 3397.32 crores under union budget 2023-2024.
Last year, the sports sector received a budget of Rs 3062.60 crore, which means there has been an increase of 334.72 cr.
‘Khelo India — National Programme for Development of Sports’ India’s flagship sports scheme is being allotted Rs 1,045 crore as against the revised budget of Rs 606 crore in 2022.
The National Sports Federations (NSFs) have received an increase from the previous year’s revised budget of Rs 280 crore and will now get Rs 325 crore.
India was faced with a record number of dope violations this year. The government has now pivoted from its earlier policy of allocating the budget for the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) to the Sports Authority of India.
NADA ( 21.73 cr), NDTL (19.50 cr) and India’s contribution to WADA (4 cr)will take place individually and not under the Sports Authority of India.