Union Budget 2026-27: FM Nirmala Sitharaman proposes ambitious 'Khelo India Mission'; allocates Rs.500 crore to sports goods manufacturing sector

Union Budget 2026-27: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman read out the proposal to launch the "Khelo India Mission" while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Parliament on Sunday. The mission aims to immensely develop the sports infrastructure of India, as objectives like integrating a talent-development pathway, training coaches and support staff, incorporating sports science and technology, organising competitions and leagues, all come under the purview of it.FM proposes Khelo India MissionThe finance minister highlighted the ability of the sports sector to generate employment, skill development and careers while presenting the budget. Keeping in view the rapid growth of sports talent through the Khelo India programme, she announced the mission with the hope that India's sports ecosystem will transform over the next decade.The mission will focus on creating an integrated talent-development pathway with training centres at foundational, intermediate, and elite levels; systematically developing coaches and support staff; incorporating sports science and technology; organising competitions and leagues to create a sports culture and provide competitive platforms; and enhancing sports infrastructure for training and tournaments."The sports sector provides multiple means of employment, skilling and job opportunities. Taking forward the systematic nurturing of sports talent, which is set in motion through the Khelo India programme earlier, I propose to launch 'Khelo India Mission' to transform the sports sector over the next decade. The mission will facilitate: a) an integrated talent-development pathway supported by training centres, which are foundational, intermediate and elite levels; b) systematic development of coaches and support staff; c) integration of sports science and technology; d) competitions and leagues to promote sports culture and provide platforms and e) development of sports infrastructure for training and competition," Nirmala Sitharaman said.Sports goods sector gets Rs 500 cr boostThe sports goods manufacturing sector emerged as a major beneficiary with a first-time allocation of Rs 500 crore as the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' allocation was hiked by over Rs 1000 crore in the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Sunday.The overall budget allocation for the ministry was Rs 4479.88 crore, an increase of Rs 1133.34 crore from the 2025-26 revised allocation of Rs 3346.54 crore.The allocation for Sports Authority of India (SAI), the nodal body for the conduct of national camps and logistical arrangements for athletes' training, was enhanced from Rs 880 crore to Rs 917.38 crore.History of the Khelo India initiativeThe Khelo India initiative was brought into existence in 2017, with the primary focus of creating a national-level platform for athletes to showcase their talent and to identify them for further grooming and financial support.The initiative also focused on building better sporting infrastructure and academies nationwide across various sports.Under this movement, the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), the Khelo India University Games (KIUG), and the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) were established as annual national sports competitions in which young people representing their states and universities, respectively, showcased their skills and competed for medals.With inputs from the agencies