Khelo India Scheme: Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports

The "Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports" component of the "Khelo India Scheme" implemented by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, to promote social inclusion, gender equity, peace, and sports participation through targeted interventions for women, persons with disabilities, rural and indigenous communities, and youth in disturbed areas. The component recognizes the role of sports in community development, healthy lifestyles, and national integration. It operates through four sub-components: Sports for Peace and Development, Promotion of Rural and Indigenous/Tribal Games, Promotion of Sports among Persons with Disabilities, and Promotion of Sports among Women. Financial assistance, infrastructure support, competitions, training, coaching, scholarships, and promotional activities are provided under the component. The component is implemented in coordination with sports federations, government agencies, the Sports Authority of India, and other stakeholders.

Sports for Peace and Development:

• Support for sports competitions in terrorism, extremism-affected, disturbed, and border areas.
• Provision of coaches, sports equipment, consumables, and technical support.
• Boarding, lodging, and travel support for participants during competitions.
• Promotion of village-level sports competitions for youth engagement.
• Enhancement and utilization of sports infrastructure in eligible areas.

Promotion of Rural and Indigenous/Tribal Games:

• Financial assistance for organizing national, state-level, and local competitions.
• Support for promotion of indigenous games such as Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, and Silambam.
• Assistance for organizing demonstrations and awareness activities.
• Support through Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat sports events.
• Opportunity for talented players to be selected as Khelo India Athletes.
• Establishment of Khelo India Centres for recognized indigenous games.
• Accreditation support for traditional academies and training centres.
• Development of interactive platforms for dissemination of information on traditional games.
• Support for publication of books and creation of educational content on indigenous games.

Promotion of Sports among Persons with Disabilities:

• Specialized sports infrastructure for persons with disabilities.
• Equipment support and athlete classification assistance.
• Establishment of training centres for athletes with disabilities.
• Training and development of Indian classifiers.
• Support for coaching development programmes.
• Scholarships for coaching diploma courses.
• Support for national and international competitions, including Paralympic preparation.
• Development of coaching, sports science, and nutrition programmes for para-athletes.
• Creation of international-standard classification facilities.

Promotion of Sports among Women:

• Financial assistance for women's sports competitions and leagues.
• Support for international and national-level women's competitions.
• Promotion of participation in sports with lower female representation.
• Awareness activities related to health, fitness, and sports participation.
• Scholarships for women pursuing sports coaching courses.
• Leadership development opportunities in coaching and sports administration.
• Gender sensitisation campaigns for athletes, coaches, and support staff.
• Workshops on safety, welfare, and legal protection of women athletes.

Sports for Peace and Development:

• The organization/institution must be involved in organizing sporting activities in eligible States, Union Territories, or districts affected by terrorism, extremism, disturbances, or located along international land borders.
• The organization/institution must submit a proposal through the prescribed appraisal and approval mechanism under the scheme.

Promotion of Rural and Indigenous/Tribal Games:

• The sports federation, sports association, stakeholder, or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) must be engaged in the promotion of rural, indigenous, or tribal games.
• The organization must submit proposals through the Sports Department of the concerned State or Union Territory for grants-in-aid.
• The organization must be involved in organizing competitions, promotional activities, training programmes, or development initiatives related to recognized indigenous games.

Promotion of Sports among Persons with Disabilities:

• The State Government, Union Territory Administration, Sports Authority of India (SAI), recognized sports body, federation, or organization must be engaged in promoting sports among persons with disabilities.
• The organization must coordinate with recognized bodies such as the Para Olympics Committee of India (PCI), Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), All India Sports Council of Deaf (AISCD), or other relevant agencies, where applicable.
• The organization must submit proposals for infrastructure development, training programmes, competitions, coaching development, equipment support, athlete classification, or athlete preparation.

Promotion of Sports among Women:

• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), National Sports Federation (NSF), Government Agency, sports organization, or other stakeholder must be involved in promoting sports among women.
• The organization must submit proposals through the Sports Department of the concerned State or Union Territory for grants-in-aid, where applicable.
• The organization must organize competitions, leagues, awareness programmes, coaching initiatives, leadership development activities, or other programmes aimed at increasing women's participation in sports.

Offline

Step 1: The eligible organization identifies the relevant sub-component and proposed activity.
Step 2: The applicant prepares a detailed proposal as per the scheme guidelines.
Step 3: The proposal is submitted through the concerned Sports Department of the State or Union Territory, wherever applicable.
Step 4: The proposal is appraised by the Project Appraisal Committee (PAC).
Step 5: The proposal is placed before the Departmental Project Approval Committee (DPAC) for approval.
Step 6: Upon approval, financial assistance and support are released as per sanctioned activities.
Step 7: The implementing organization conducts the approved activities and utilizes funds according to scheme guidelines.

1. Proposal Document
   1. Detailed Project Report
   2. Organization Registration Certificate (If Applicable)
   3. Recommendation of State Sports Department (Where Applicable)
   4. Details of Proposed Sports Activities
   5. Budget Estimate
   6. Details of Sports Infrastructure (If Applicable)
   7. Details of Coaches and Technical Personnel (If Applicable)
   8. Participant Details (If Applicable)
   9. Bank Account Details of Implementing Organization
   10. Any Other Supporting Documents As Required.