J&K eyes Rs 1,000–1,200 cr under Khelo India 2026–31 programme

CS directs districts to harness the opportunity for transforming J&K’s sports ecosystem

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 31: Jammu and Kashmir has drawn up an ambitious five-year roadmap to maximise Central assistance under the Khelo India programme, with the Union Territory aspiring to secure around Rs 1,000–1,200 Cr during 2026–31 for strengthening sports infrastructure, nurturing talent and building a comprehensive sports ecosystem across the UT.

The roadmap was presented today before the UT Level Coordination Committee (UTLCC) in its first meeting chaired by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, who called for a focused, district-driven approach to leverage the national programme for creating high-quality sports infrastructure and facilities across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by ACS, PWD; Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports Department; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare; Commissioner Secretary, Education; DG, Youth Services & Sports; DG, Budget; representatives of Planning, Rural Development Department and other concerned departments. Deputy Commissioners participated through video conferencing from their respective offices.

Chairing the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed all Deputy Commissioners to leverage the rechristened Khelo India 2026-31 scheme to create the best possible sports infrastructure and facilities in their respective districts, while ensuring optimal utilisation of existing assets. He called for prompt preparation of comprehensive district sports plans and directed the districts to submit the requisite plans by September 15, 2026.

Presenting the roadmap, Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, outlined J&K’s strategy to tap the various funding windows under the Khelo India programme and build a coordinated sports development architecture for the next five years.

He reiterated that the roadmap seeks to address the sporting requirements of athletes from grassroots participation in schools to preparation of elite sportspersons capable of contributing to India’s medal tally at the Olympic and international level.

He urged Deputy Commissioners and concerned departments to be proactive and prompt in preparing district-level plans so that Jammu and Kashmir can make optimal use of the national funding opportunities available under the programme.

Detailing it out further, he added that the national Khelo India programme carries a total financial outlay of Rs 28,489 Cr for 2026–31, including administrative expenses, with the annual allocation rising progressively from Rs 3,173 Cr in 2026–27 to Rs 9,198 Cr in 2030–31. The roadmap prepared by the Youth Services & Sports Department seeks to position J&K to secure the maximum admissible share from these national funding windows.

The meeting was apprised that the national outlay is structured across key intervention areas covering the entire sports development continuum. The largest window is Khelo India Training Facilities, with an allocation of Rs 10,586 Cr, accounting for 37.2 per cent of the total outlay.

This is followed by Strengthening Strategic Sports Assets with Rs 4,963 Cr, Sports Infrastructure for Medal Strategy with Rs 4,866 Cr, Talent Identification and Development with Rs 2,407 Cr, and Sports Competitions and Leagues with Rs 2,358 Cr.

Other important windows include State Action Plan for Sports Infrastructure Development (Central Share) with Rs 1,400 Cr, Coach and Support Staff Development with Rs 748 Cr, Sports Technology with Rs 302 Cr, and the Fit India Movement with Rs 300 Cr. An additional ¹ 559 Cr has been earmarked for administrative expenses under this programme.

A major thrust of the new roadmap is on grassroots talent identification and athlete development, with J&K targeting a ten-fold increase in the number of supported athletes.