In a country like India, where cricket is followed like a religion, the progress and success of other sports depend on a lot of factors such as funding, infrastructure, sponsorships and publicity of the games. India had a successful run at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 that included a gold medal in athletics for the first time. The hockey teams also put up spirited performances, with the men’s team winning a bronze and the women’s team securing fourth place. In the aftermath of the Olympics success, the sports Budget was given an allocation of Rs 3,062.60 crores in February 2022, an increase of Rs 305.58 crore over the revised allocation of the last financial year (Rs. 2757.02 crore). The budget also stated that the funds might be further increased as per the needs of the athletes and the National Sports Federations. This year’s Budget is going to prove important for the sports culture in the country, as it would help build the foundations for success. Initiatives like Khelo India and National Youth Games are platforms for the nation to spot young talent and nurture them. Khelo India scheme has been allocated Rs 974 crore this time around from Rs 657.71 crore last year. Keeping in mind the 2024 and 2028 Olympics, the Sports Ministry has taken up the project to construct more than 1,000 Khelo India centres which would support more than 30,000 children in different sports. The Sports Ministry also aspires to see India in the top 10 medal tally listings by the 2028 Olympics. With this year’s Budget, Indians expect a boost to the sporting culture of the country along with support to athletes.
10 Apr 2022
Atharva Agashe
