Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur Expands ‘Khelo India’

On 23 August, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurated 33 ‘Khelo India’ centres in Jaipur’s SMS Stadium. Through these centres, Rajasthan’s sports will receive a breakthrough, and athletes will have access to high-level facilities. This initiative also aims to connect the young people in the state with employment opportunities through sports in the coming days.
Under the leadership of Union Minister Anurag Thakur, this initiative lays emphasis on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to utilize the experience of former athletes at Khelo India centres. In the event, it was proclaimed that former athletes would be appointed at the district level to operate these centres and that they would receive an annual grant of Rs 500,000. The decision has been taken to establish 1000 such centres across the country, and work is ongoing in this regard. However, now, in Rajasthan, not just 33 but all 50 districts will have 51 Khelo India centres. Presently, there are 23 National Centers of Excellence across the country, and soon, Rajasthan will also have its own National Center of Excellence to encourage athletes.
The event was attended by Rajasthan’s Sports Minister Ashok Chandna, Opposition Leader Satish Poonia, and Krishna Poonia, the President of the Rajasthan Sports Council.