Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, virtually initiated the construction of six major sports infrastructure projects and unveiled two athlete support facilities, totaling ₹120 crore in investment. These endeavors aim to enhance India’s sports ecosystem and emphasize the government’s commitment to developing modern, athlete-centric infrastructure nationwide. The projects, funded at ₹82 crore under the Khelo India Scheme with additional backing from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), are strategically located across various regions, including eastern and north-eastern India, to promote fair and inclusive sports infrastructure development.
The initiatives encompass upgrading a synthetic hockey turf in Bengaluru, constructing a multipurpose hall in Patiala, installing synthetic athletic tracks in Bhopal, Guwahati, and Jalpaiguri, and building a multipurpose judo hall in Bhopal. Additionally, Mandaviya inaugurated two athlete support facilities at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NS NIS), Patiala, costing ₹38 crore. These facilities include a centralised kitchen and food court-cum-dining hall to enhance athlete nutrition services, along with an Integrated Sports Science Centre and Conditioning Hall, aimed at enhancing scientific training, performance analysis, and rehabilitation for elite athletes.
Recognizing the stakeholders’ role and emphasizing SAI’s responsibility in managing sports assets, the minister highlighted the importance of maintaining and utilizing these facilities optimally. Mandaviya stressed the need for accountability and timely execution, assuring close monitoring of the projects. He mentioned that SAI would conduct monthly reviews, while he would personally oversee quarterly reviews to ensure efficient implementation and utilization of the infrastructure.
Referring to the broader sports policy framework, Mandaviya mentioned the Union Finance Minister’s announcement of the Khelo India Mission, outlining measures to fortify the country’s sports ecosystem through infrastructure development. He urged collective efforts to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and among the top five by the country’s centenary. The minister also highlighted the allocation of ₹500 crore to sports goods manufacturing, aiming to boost domestic production and foster a self-reliant, globally competitive sports ecosystem.
Emphasizing the evolving landscape of Indian sports, Mandaviya stressed the professionalization of sports and the need to enhance talent identification and nurturing. He underscored the government’s role in creating opportunities and systems to facilitate young talent’s progression from grassroots to elite levels. Mandaviya expressed that sustained investment in sports infrastructure should inspire athletes nationwide, reinforcing India’s high-performance ecosystem and contributing to the nation’s long-term sporting aspirations.
