The Khelo India Scheme identifies and nurtures talent through its Khelo India Talent Development program by supporting athletes across 21 sports including para-athletics, based on specific guidelines and benchmarks.

As on date, 2781 Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) have been identified under the Scheme, who are provided support through coaching, equipment, medical care, and a monthly Out of Pocket Allowance (OPA).

The KIAs training at various National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) under the Sports Authority of India and other accredited academies are continuously strengthening the Nation’s sports talent pool.

At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, 124 out of 644 Indian athletes were KIAs, and they contributed significantly by winning 42 out of India’s 106 medals, including 9 Gold medals. For the Paris 2024 Olympics, 28 KIAs were part of the Indian contingent of 117 athletes, highlighting the program's ongoing success and the critical role of KIAs in enhancing India’s performance in national and international sports events.

This information was given by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Himanshu Pathak

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