Khelo India Policy Targets 2036 Olympics, Boosts Sports Infrastructure
The Union Cabinet recently sanctioned the Khelo India Policy to elevate India to the top five in global sports, and a related bill has been presented in the Lok Sabha. This sports policy seeks to establish a 'world-class system' for coaching and player support, alongside a robust administrative framework, to position the country as a formidable contender for the 2036 Olympics. Previously known as the National Sports Policy, it was initially launched in 1984.
Khelo India Policy 2025 will now replace the 2001 policy. It is a 'guiding document' for formulating plans for the betterment of the country's sports ecosystem. Its main objective is to make India among the top five sports nations by 2047. This is our main objective. “India has expressed its desire to host the 2036 Olympic Games, for which there has been a massive emphasis on creating infrastructure and bringing international level events to the country. The new policy is said to be the result of 'extensive consultations' with central ministries, NITI Aayog, state governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs), players, experts and stakeholders on the matter.
Under this, sports will be linked to tourism and economic development. A large number of people travel to watch IPL, football matches. This promotes tourism and economic development.” The document seeks to connect with the National Education Policy, which makes sports an integral part of the school curriculum. It states that it aims to equip teachers and physical education teachers with special training to promote sports education. The Sports Ministry is also working towards promoting 'league culture' in all sports, including funding those sports that need financial help. Starting a league is also a declared objective of the new policy.
The big thing is that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is also within the purview of the National Sports Governance Bill. Although everyone knows that BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world and it does not have to depend on the Sports Ministry for money, but the cricket board will have to get recognition from the proposed National Sports Board under the new law, even if it is not dependent on government funds. According to the new sports bill, sports associations may have questions about the appointment of the National Sports Board. This also seems to be a kind of control mechanism. Its appointment will be done entirely by the central government. The NSB will have the right to grant and suspend recognition of sports associations. This body will also be able to take decisions regarding electoral irregularities and financial irregularities of federations. The proposed National Sports Board will have a chairman and its members will be appointed by the central government. Like all other National Sports Federations (NSFs), BCCI will also have to follow the law of the country after this bill becomes a law. They do not take money from the Sports Ministry, but the Act of Parliament applies to them as well. Like all other sports, there is no threat to their autonomy but their disputes and issues related to elections and selection can also be resolved in the National Sports Tribunal. "There was a time when sports associations were dominated by politicians. Apart from hockey and football, there were many sports associations which were dominated by prominent politicians for years. Not only nepotism continued in such organizations, but money was also siphoned off. This caused a lot of damage to sports. With great difficulty, many sports associations were freed from these fiefdoms.
India has made remarkable progress in global sports but to compete continuously at the highest level, performance needs to be maintained by smart, adaptable and medically sound systems. The National Sports Policy 2025 acknowledges this and integrates sports science, sports medicine and cutting-edge technology as the foundational pillars of the next decade of Indian sports. The policy outlines that facilities for sports science and sports medicine will be established and upgraded at major training centers across the country. The Sports Authority of India (SAI), in partnership with the National Centre for Sports Science and Research, has already begun work to enhance sports science facilities and install world-class recovery equipment at its regional centers and national centers of excellence. The National Sports Policy 2025 is not only visionary but also of immense significance. By incorporating sports science and technology into our sports ecosystem, we are moving towards certainty—from mere passion to precision to empowered passion.