Indian Sports Minister Highlights Growth of Football and New Initiatives
Progress in Indian Football
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has expressed that Indian football is experiencing remarkable growth. He confirmed that the Indian Super League (ISL) will return and emphasized the government's commitment to fostering a robust academy culture across various sports.
During an interaction on the sidelines of the 85th Fit India Sundays on Cycle event, Mandaviya noted the emergence of new football clubs as a sign of the sport's expansion in India. He stated, "Football is making excellent progress. The ISL will be hosted again, and new football clubs are being formed." He also mentioned a substantial investment of Rs 36,000 crore aimed at promoting sports academies, which will be managed by retired athletes.
Future of Indian Sports and Governance
Mandaviya highlighted that traditional Indian sports will be featured in the upcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games set to take place in Gujarat. He referred to the positive outcomes from the previous Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow.
He added, "We have established a policy ensuring that selections are conducted through an open process-on-camera and in the presence of observers - thereby ensuring transparency and athlete satisfaction."
Encouraging Fitness with 'Sundays On Cycle'
The Minister remarked on the enthusiastic participation in the 'Fit India: Sundays On Cycle' initiative across the nation. He expressed his happiness that this initiative has transformed into a significant movement supporting the Prime Minister's Fit India Movement. Young individuals from over 18,000 locations have embraced cycling as a message of fitness.
Revamped Khelo India Scheme for Youth Development
Recently, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved an expanded Khelo India Scheme along with increased support for National Sports Federations (ANSFs), amounting to Rs 36,441 crore for the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31. This decision underscores the government's dedication to leveraging sports for youth development and nation-building.
The newly approved budget is nearly eight times larger than that of the previous Khelo India Scheme, demonstrating the government's resolve to make sports a fundamental aspect of youth development and to position India as a global sporting leader.
The revamped scheme aims to create a clear pathway for every talented young athlete, from school grounds and village sports fields to the Olympic podium. It strives to ensure that no sporting talent goes unnoticed due to geographical, economic, or opportunity-related barriers, as stated in an official release.
In line with the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and the National Education Policy 2020, the scheme integrates sports with education, fitness, technology, and high-performance training, laying a solid foundation for India's long-term sporting goals, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and aspirations to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.