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Hans India
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Increased participation to global podium finishes: India's sporting transformation between 2014-2025
New Delhi: From increased participation to global podium finishes, India's sports journey between 2014 and 2025 has been marked by vision, inclusivity, and execution. Key flagship programs like Khelo India, TOPS, and KIRTI have provided the critical infrastructure and financial support necessary to identify, train, and nurture talent at every level. With a clear roadmap toward the Olympic Games of 2036 and beyond, India is steadily moving toward its goal of becoming a top-10 sporting nation. In a move to fuel India's sporting future, the government has made a record allocation of Rs 3794 crores to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for FY 2025–26. A major portion, that is Rs 2,191.01 crore, has been allocated to Central Sector Schemes, with the flagship Khelo India Programme receiving ₹1,000 crore. The budget allocations to the ministry in the FY 2014-15 were Rs 1643 crore, marking a rise of 130.9% in 2025-26, according to the Sports Ministry's media release. The Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports, launched in 2016-17 promote mass participation and sporting excellence in both rural and urban areas. Key achievements of this programme include the approval of 326 new sports infrastructure projects worth ₹3,124.12 crore. Establishment of 1,045 Khelo India Centres (KICs) for grassroots training and support. Notification of 34 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) and accreditation of 306 academies. Support for 2,845 Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) with coaching, equipment, medical care, and a monthly out-of-pocket allowance. Under the Khelo India movement, the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), the Khelo India University Games (KIUG), Khelo India Para Games and the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) were set up as annual national sports competitions The initiative began with the Khelo India School Games in 2018 held in New Delhi and consequently the Khelo India School Games were renamed to the Khelo India Youth Games from 2019. The KIYG began in 2018 with 18 sports. In 2025, when the 7th edition of KIYG was held in Bihar, it featured 27 sports. So far, 17 editions of the Khelo India Games have been conducted, with participation from over 50,000 athletes. More than 1,300 athletes each took part in Khelo India Para Games 2023 and 2025. KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) is a nationwide initiative to identify and nurture sporting talent among children aged 9 to 18. It aims to create a sustainable pipeline of athletes to help India become a top-10 sporting nation by 2036 and top-5 by 2047 The government also provide assistance to India's top athletes for their preparations for Olympic and Paralympic Games under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Selected athletes are supported with funding from National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for customized training and other support not available under normal schemes of the Ministry. Out of pocket allowance (OPA) is paid at Rs. 50,000/- per month to Core group athletes. Further, a Development Group was added to support junior athletes with a stipend of Rs. 25,000/- per month. TOPS contributed to India's medal-winning success in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. India's Olympic journey witnessed a remarkable transformation between 2016 and 2024, underscoring a new era of athletic excellence. From a modest haul of 2 medals in Rio 2016 by a 117-member contingent, India surged ahead to claim 7 medals at Tokyo 2020 and maintained a strong showing with 6 medals at Paris 2024, both with contingents of 117–119 athletes. Notable performers in this period include Neeraj Chopra, India's first Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020) in athletics (javelin), and Mirabai Chanu, a consistent medalist in weightlifting. India's Paralympic achievements have grown exponentially in the last three editions. From four medals in Rio 2016 with 19 athletes, the tally jumped to 19 medals in Tokyo 2020 and peaked at 29 medals in Paris 2024, where 84 Indian athletes competed. This success includes 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 13 bronzes in 2024 alone, a testament to India's growing prowess in para-sports. Prominent stars include Avani Lekhara in shooting, Sumit Antil in javelin, and Pramod Bhagat in badminton. The focused inclusion of para-athletes in programs like TOPS and Khelo India Para Games has helped elevate India as a rising force in global para-sports. India's performances at the Asian Games reflect a steady rise in both participation and podium finishes. In Incheon 2014, the Indian contingent of 541 athletes won 57 medals. By Jakarta 2018, this increased to 570 athletes and 69 medals. The breakthrough came at Hangzhou 2023, where India sent its largest-ever contingent of 655 athletes and returned with a historic 107 medals—including 28 golds, 38 silvers, and 41 bronzes. Athletes like Neeraj Chopra in javelin, Lovlina Borgohain in boxing, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in badminton contributed to this record tally. India has consistently demonstrated excellence at the Commonwealth Games. In Glasgow 2014, the 215-member contingent won 64 medals. The number rose to 66 medals in Gold Coast 2018 with 218 athletes and remained steady with 61 medals at Birmingham 2022 with 210 athletes. In other global achievements, India won double gold at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Indian athletes won 22 medals at the 2023 ITTF Fa20 AI-Watani Para Table Tennis Championships in Jordan. India won the Gold medal in the Javelin Throw at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest. The Indian Badminton Men's Team created history by winning the Thomas Cup in May 2022. Indian contingent won 34 medals in the ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Championship 2022 (Senior & Junior) held in Egypt. The Indian team finished on top in the ISSF Junior World Cup 2023 held in Germany. A special package of Rs. 200 crore for development of sports infrastructure in the state of Jammu & Kashmir was approved in 2015. The renovation/up-gradation of existing stadiums and other works approved for capital districts i.e. Srinagar and Jammu was carried out by the Ministry. Estimated cost for these works was worked out to Rs. 84 crore. With a view to make fitness an integral part of our daily lives Fit India Movement was launched to bring about behavioural changes and move towards a more physically active lifestyle.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
TOI Exclusive: Junior wrestlers handed ban in fake birth-certificate scam; MCD admits lapse
Representative image (ANI Photo) Nearly 30 suspended after probe shows 100 false documents issued from identical addresses, revealing coach-MCD official nexus NEW DELHI: In a major age-fraud case, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) announced a ban on nearly 30 junior wrestlers after they were found to have procured and submitted fake birth certificates, predominantly obtained from areas under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi 's (MCD) Narela and Rohini jurisdictions among its 12 administrative zones. Fake birth certificates of the junior athletes procured from identical addresses came to light after a TOI investigation revealed a network involving wrestlers, coaches and officials from the MCD, all working in collusion within the Capital's municipal zones that border neighbouring Haryana. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Additionally, Yash Kumar, a reigning Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) gold medallist in men's 80kg freestyle, has been directed to undergo a 'bone test' to determine his actual age following revelations of repeated tampering with his date of birth (DOB) on his Aadhar card. Until the medical verification process is concluded, Yash will not receive any Khelo India incentives. Yash, who according to the federation is physically over 20 years of age was recently disqualified from representing Delhi in an under-17 national wrestling competition on the grounds of being overage. Poll How serious do you consider the issue of age fraud in sports to be? Extremely serious. Somewhat serious. Not serious at all. As per the investigation, the examination of documents involving at least 100 wrestlers revealed inconsistencies between addresses and birth dates on their registration certificates and the information provided to the WFI. The governing body is now scrutinising around 400 cases from Haryana alone in which young athletes are suspected of using fake certificates from Delhi to become eligible for younger age-group events. The main objective appears to be securing college admissions and potential government jobs. Passports given to the WFI revealed residential addresses in Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Sonepat. The WFI made queries to several zones of the Municipal Corporation of Haryana (MCH), as well as the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB), exposing the extensive scale of the age-fraud case. It was revealed that nearly all wrestlers under review had secured fake birth certificates from identical place of registration – in Begumpur under the Narela jurisdiction and Mangolpuri in the Rohini zone. A detailed scrutiny of original birth certificates from Haryana municipal authorities, as well as passports, revealed actual birthplaces and addresses in Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Sonepat, in addition to differing DOBs. Most of the wrestlers were born between 2006-2009 but had birth certificates registered in 2021-2022, indicating a disparity of nearly 14-15 years. Virat Kohli's love for 'dhaba' food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories In one instance, Dipanshu cited his DOB as 26/10/2009, with a birth certificate registration date of 06/01/2021, obtained from one of the same addresses – Rajeev Nagar, Begumpur, North West Delhi 110086. The federation checks with the department of health services, Municipal Corporation Rohtak, revealed his true DOB as 16/10/2006, with his home in Rainak Pura village, Rohtak. Similarly, national-level wrestler Rohit Gulia was found to have manipulated personal data repeatedly, including DOB changes and unauthorised Aadhar updates (seven times from 2013 to 2021). His official birth certificate from the Municipal Corporation of Rohtak documented his DOB as 17/10/1999, while he declared it as 17/10/2001 in national competitions. Both Dipanshu and Rohit have now been banned by WFI from all future tournaments. WFI president Sanjay Singh has written to Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta to act against MCD officials. 'What is particularly alarming is the frequency of such (false) certificates being issued after a considerable lapse of time. This is contrary to the normal practice, wherein birth certificates are typically issued within one- or two-months following birth. The Narela zone, situated close to the Haryana border, has seen a disproportionately high number of such delayed issuances. I urge your office to kindly direct the concerned authorities in all MCD zones to exercise strict scrutiny and restraint in issuing birth certificates where the application is made after an unusually long delay,' he added. MCD has admitted to the lapse and said it will probe this issue.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
PM praises Bihar for successfully hosting Khelo India Youth Games
Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded Bihar for successfully hosting the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) from May 4 to May 15. Speaking during his monthly ' Mann Ki Baat ' address, Modi said the event was a resounding success with five cities in Bihar hosting competitions that drew athletes from across the country. "They praised the sporting spirit of Bihar and the warmth shown by the people of the state. The land of Bihar is very special. Twenty-six records had been made there in the games," he said. The PM reiterated the sentiment he had expressed during the opening ceremony, which he attended via videoconference. "The more you play, the more you bloom," he said. During the inauguration, the PM had also praised CM Nitish Kumar for investing in sports infrastructure. He highlighted the development of a sports city on the Patna-Gaya highway and the recently inaugurated Rajgir Sports Academy in Nalanda. Modi added that hosting events like the KIYG would strengthen Bihar's presence in the national sporting arena. "Jo jitna khelega, woh utna khilega (the more you play, the more you bloom)," he said in his message to the young athletes. Maharashtra topped the medal tally with 58 gold medals, followed by Haryana with 39 and Rajasthan with 24. Host state Bihar secured 36 medals, including seven gold and 11 silver.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
TN archers aim big after first medals in KIYG
Smaran Sarvesh CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu recently clinched their first set of archery medals in seven editions of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG). The mixed compound pair of R Midhun and M Madhuravarshini secured silver, while Smaran Sarvesh bagged the second spot in the boys individual recurve event held in Bihar. Midhun and Madhuravarshini lost the final by just one point (151-152) to Maharashtra. The TN pair was leading in the fourth set but could not hold their nerve, succumbing to pressure. Madhuravarshini, in particular, stood out as she consistently hit the bull's eye, but a few 9s from her in the final arrows did not prove enough. 'The last three arrows decided the fate of the match. It could have been due to time management or lack of coordination. Overall, I am very happy, as the sport is growing in Tamil Nadu. Two-three years ago, any team would have beaten us easily, but that is no longer the case,' Madhuravarshini, who had reached the quarterfinals in the Asia Cup Stage I earlier this year, told TOI. 'The state clinched several medals in age-group competitions in the past year and that is a good sign. Maharashtra conducts camp before every tournament they participate and that is why their players have strong coordination and understanding. If TN also start conducting camps regularly, we can get better.' With the compound event being added to the LA Olympics, Madhuravarshini has set her sights on the quadrennial extravaganza. In men's individual recurve, Smaran went 2-6 down to Ujwal Bharat of Maharashtra. The 16-year-old Smaran was inconsistent and managed to win only one set. 'This medal is very important to me, and this was my maiden appearance at the KIYG. I will train hard and aim for gold in the next edition,' Smaran said. S maran's mother, Lavanya, an IPS officer, initially wanted him to take up shooting. However, since the minimum required age was eight, he was enrolled in archery. Smaran gradually developed an interest in the sport and never looked back. He joined the National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat last year, and the training there has helped him improve. Smaran had represented India in the Asian Youth Championship last year and, like Madhuravarshini, was part of the national team in Asia Cup Stage I. The main goal for both the archers is to get selected for the World Youth Championships. The trials for the competition are scheduled to take place in Pune from May 22. Additionally, the archers also have a chance to book their spots in the Asia Cup Stage II.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Khelo India Youth Games 2025: Maharashtra bags hat-trick of titles; Bihar impresses on home turf
Maharashtra has, time and again, managed to convince that its on-field prowess isn't a sporting fluke. The seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in Bihar was no different, as Maharashtra's Under-18 athletes completed a hat-trick of team championships in the multi-discipline event. The state not only accounted for close to 17 per cent of the medals on offer, but also ensured there was daylight on the tally between itself and second-placed Haryana. Maharashtra's players won 158 medals (58 gold, 47 silver, and 53 bronze), while the runner-up bagged 117 (39 gold, 27 silver, and 51 bronze). Rajasthan finished third with 60 medals (24 gold, 12 silver, and 24 bronze). Maharashtra's gold medals were won across 14 sports, with an overwhelming majority coming from athletics (10), swimming (seven), gymnastics (seven), archery (six), and weightlifting (five). According to a statement from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, most of Maharashtra's standout performers — especially the archers and weightlifters — already train at Khelo India centres or the National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Aurangabad, Patiala, and Sonepat. SAI's talent development team also deserves a hat tip for identifying and nurturing 186 of the 5,071 athletes — 50 per cent of them girls — who participated in these Games. Meanwhile, Bihar, enjoying the privilege of competing in its own backyard, sprang the biggest surprise, significantly improving its rank to 15th after finishing 21st in the previous KIYG in Tamil Nadu. It registered seven gold, 11 silver, and 18 bronze medals. The host recorded a growth of 620 per cent over its showing in 2023, where it won five medals, including two gold, two silver, and one bronze. RELATED | Sports Minister announces multiple Games under Khelo India scheme Raveendran Sankaran, Director General and CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority, attributes the roaring success to multiple factors. 'It didn't happen overnight. It took us four years. We initially concentrated on talent scouting. We empanelled the right persons for the right games; Dronacharya and Arjuna awardees from across the country helped us identify talent. For coaching too, we had national and international awardees and Olympians mentoring our kids,' he tells Sportstar. A lot of wrestling's history can be traced back to the akhadas of Haryana. Therefore, it came as no surprise when the state claimed eight of its gold medals in the sport. What's worth further praise is that Haryana's boxers also bagged eight, while its fencers won seven gold medals, indicating the state's foray into non-conventional sporting ecosystems. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary (centre), Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse (right) and Director General and CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority, Raveendran Sankaran (centre left), during the closing ceremony of the 'Khelo India Youth Games 2025'. | Photo Credit: PTI Bihar tried something similar. It won both the gold medals on offer in Rugby 7s, a sport in which they have been improving by leaps and bounds for a while now. In fact, less than a month ago, the senior women's team from the state had lifted the trophy at the Nationals. 'I can't compete with Haryana in wrestling in the next 10 or maybe even 20 years. The same is true of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in basketball and volleyball. They are far ahead of us. So, we selected such sports where not only is the potential there in our athletes, but also where the competition is thin. But at the same time, those sports had to be part of the Olympics or Asian Games programme. Like Rugby 7s is part of the Olympics, and we won both titles. We chose games where our medal probability would be higher,' explains Raveendran. India's 🇮🇳 youth didn't just show up—they stole the show at the 7th #KheloIndiaYouthGames in Bihar, smashing numerous youth national and meet records. Congratulations to every athlete and their support staff. #KhelKeRangBiharKeSang@mansukhmandviya@khadseraksha@BSSABihar… — Khelo India (@kheloindia) May 15, 2025 A total of 26 records were broken at KIYG 2025. Girls established eight of these records. Incidentally, five also became national youth records in weightlifting. Sairaj Pardeshi of Maharashtra accounted for three of these records himself, breaching the earlier Snatch, Clean and Jerk, and Total marks in the 81kg category. Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya elucidated how the Khelo India programme, launched on October 14, 2017, will help India realise its Olympic dream. He said, 'Over the past decade, Indian sports have undergone a remarkable transformation. Under the Khelo India initiative, we have created a dynamic and inclusive sporting ecosystem with regular national-level competitions. Tamil Nadu's players pose with medals after winning gold medal in the women's volleyball event at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025, at Patliputra Sport Complex, in Patna. | Photo Credit: PTI Taking this vision forward, we will soon introduce a series of Khelo India Games throughout the year, including formats like the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) and others. These events will further strengthen our domestic sports structure and serve as a vital talent pipeline as we gear up for the Commonwealth Games 2030 and the Olympic Games 2036. India is on the move and the youth are at the heart of this sporting revolution.' The Khelo India caravan has hence set up camp in the picturesque Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, where the inaugural KIBG — a landmark event to draw national attention to coastal and beach sports — is currently underway.
