Khelo India Mission to transform sports sector over next decade: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister announced a sweeping 10-year plan to reshape India’s sports sector during the 2026 Union Budget.

Updated on: Feb 1, 2026, 12:32:27 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Setting the tone for long-term reform, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a sweeping 10-year plan to reshape India’s sports sector during the 2026 Union Budget, under the ‘Khelo India Mission’.

The Finance Minister proposed a dedicated initiative for high-quality sports goods manufacturing and research

“The sports sector provides multiple avenues for employment, skilling and job creation. Building on the systematic nurturing of talent already set in motion through the Khelo India programme, I propose to launch a Khelo India Mission to transform the sports sector over the next decade,” Sitharaman said.

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The mission will focus on "an integrated talent development pathway supported by training centres which are foundational, intermediate and elite levels; systematic development of coaches and support staff; integration of sports science and technology; competitions and leagues to promote sports culture and provide platforms; development of sports infrastructure for training and competition."

Not long ago, a Sports Ministry-appointed task force, led by former India shuttler Pullela Gopichand, called for greater emphasis on building a pool of high-quality coaches. A Target Olympic Podium Scheme was proposed to ensure coaches receive financial support similar to that provided to elite athletes, enhancing India's medal prospects going forward.

The proposals come at a time when India is preparing to host the 100th Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030, while also bidding to stage the 2036 Olympic Games in the same city.

Launched in 2017, the Khelo India programme aims to strengthen the country’s sports culture at the grassroots level through structured infrastructure development, talent identification and competitive opportunities. It has also placed special emphasis on reviving traditional Indian games.

Sitharaman further announced a dedicated initiative to boost high-quality sports goods manufacturing and research. “I propose a focused initiative for high-quality sports goods manufacturing, research and innovation in equipment design and material sciences,” she said.

The Finance Minister added that India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for affordable, high-quality sports goods.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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