Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), a centrally sponsored scheme, was launched on 21.2.2014 in place of erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA). Under the revised RGKA scheme, construction of a sports complex in each block of the country both for outdoor and indoor sports disciplines on land measuring about six - seven acres at a Total cost of Rs. 1.60 crore (Rs. 80 lakh each for outdoor playfield and indoor sports hall) will be undertaken. There is also provision of Rs. 15 lakh for sports equipment and Rs. 1.5 lakh for furniture to be provided by Department of Sports.    All the 6545 blocks in 634 districts will be covered in a phased manner over a period of 5 years. 

Further, following sports competitions at block, district, state and national levels are conducted under Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan:

(i)     Rural Sports Competitions

(ii)   Sports Competitions exclusively for Women

(iii) North East Games

(iv) Sports Competitions for Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected Areas

Outcomes and Progress: RGKA aims (i) to provide universal access to sports in rural areas and promote sports culture among both boys and girls; (ii) to harness available and potential sporting talent among rural youth, through a well-designed competition structure from the block level; and (iii) to put in place an effective mechanism to identify and nurture sporting talent in rural areas.

The above objectives will be achieved by construction of block level sports complexes and conduct of Annual rural Sports competitions. 

Annual Rural Sports Competitions were conducted in 22 States in the year 2014-15 and a sum of Rs. 83.84 crore was released to these States for holding such competitions.  A total number of 7666 athletes participated at the National level sports competitions. The first three winners were given utility prizes, medals and prize money. The participants were youth and from rural areas.

Benefits that have accrued or will accrue: Construction of sports complexes at block level will address the problem of inadequate sports infrastructure in rural areas. Conduct of annual rural sports competitions will encourage and promote sports and games among rural youth, by providing them with access to basic sports infrastructure in the form of play fields and providing access to advanced sports infrastructure facilities including sports equipment of requisite quality at the Block level, and opportunity to participate in sports competitions at the Block, District, State, and National levels, leading to the identification of the sporting talent in the sports competitions at various levels and nurture the sporting talent.

Creation of Sports Infrastructure under the scheme will be taken up during the current year 2015-16.  Under the erstwhile PYKKA Scheme playfields were developed in village and block panchayats with lesser funds. Under RGKA as stated above the sports complex will be developed in blocks at a cost of Rs. 1.60 crore (both Indoor and Outdoor). Similarly the competitions grants have also been enhanced suitably under the RGKA Scheme. This change will provide better sports facilities to the participants.

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