KHELO INDIA INITIATIVE  (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Gov Initiatives)

Context: The recently concluded Khelo India Games achieved resounding success, with the government expanding the mission's scope exponentially and incorporating new facets to enhance technical and demographic diversity.

Khelo India Initiative 

• About: It introduced by the Indian government in 2017, aimed at rejuvenating India’s sporting culture by involving youngsters at the grassroots level.
• Focus: One of the key focuses of the Khelo India initiative was the development of better sporting infrastructure and academies throughout the nation, catering to various sports.
• Establishment: The initiative led to the establishment of annual national sports competitions including the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), Khelo India University Games (KIUG), and Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG), providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents.
• Evolution: The Khelo India initiative began with the Khelo India School Games in 2018, later evolving to include Khelo India University Games and Khelo India Winter Games.
• Expansion of Sports and Participation: Initially starting with 18 sports in 2018, the Khelo India Youth Games expanded to 26 sports by 2024, offering a diverse range of opportunities for young athletes to compete and excel.
• Inclusivity and Age Categories: Competitions within the Khelo India Youth Games are structured across Under-17 and Under-21 categories for both boys and girls, promoting inclusivity and participation at different age levels.
• Khelo India Centres initiative: It  focuses on bolstering the sports infrastructure in India. It provides financial aid, support staff, and necessary equipment to existing sports training facilities.