The Sports Ministry is all set to establish 1,000 Khelo India Centres (KIC) at the district level across the country to boost the sports ecosystem in the country. Such an initiative will also ensure a sustained source of income for — and the usage of the expertise of — past sporting champions at the grassroots-level. These centres will either be run by a former champion or have them work there as coaches and trainers. The ministry is expecting that this decision will help past champions contribute their expertise to making India a sporting superpower while earning a livelihood for them.
As per the Sports Ministry, training will be imparted at the Khelo India Centres in 14 Identified Sports for Excellence in Olympics (ISEO) including archery, athletics, boxing, badminton, cycling, fencing, hockey, judo, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling. Football and traditional sports have also been included.
Speaking about this decision Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “As we strive to make India a sporting superpower, one of the things we have to ensure is that sports become a viable career option for youngsters. Only when sports can offer a sustained means of livelihood to athletes, even after they stop playing competitive sports, will parents be motivated to allow their children to take up sports as a serious career option”.
Rijiju also added that “the only way to tap the best talent, who may otherwise decide to take up other career options.” The minister concluded by saying, “This decision is a step in that direction. We want to ensure that anyone who has played sport at the national level has a life of dignity and financial stability.”
Existing SAI extension centres will be given the option of converting into a KIC and recruiting a past champion to avail of the financial grant under the scheme. Any past champion can also establish a new KIC with infrastructure.
The ministry has mentioned certain eligibility criteria for grant under the scheme; the retired athlete will be required to personally impart full-time training to young ones at the centre. Organisations that have been promoting sports for at least 5 years will also be eligible to establish a Khelo India Centre, provided they recruit past champions as coaches. Organisations in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadeep and Northeast states are, however, exempt from this five-year rule.
A shortlisting mechanism has already been put in place to identify past champions who are eligible to either establish their own academy or work as a coach in a Khelo India Centre. The first category of athletes who will be considered is those who have represented India at recognised international competitions under a recognised NSF or association. The second category is of medal winners in Senior National Championship conducted by a recognised NSF or a medal winner at the Khelo India Games. The third category of past champions is those who have won medals in the National All India University Games. The fourth category will include those who have represented the state in a Senior National Championship conducted by recognised NSFs or participated in Khelo India Games.
An exception has been made in the case of Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Ladakh, where coaches trained with NIS certification will also be eligible to apply.