In a country where cricket once ruled every conversation about sports, something refreshing is happening. Today, young athletes across India are making their mark in track and field events, wrestling, kabaddi, football, and many more games. Behind this exciting change are two strong pillars: Khelo India and the growing influence of sports-tech policies. Together, these are changing how India supports, trains, and builds its future athletes.
Let’s take a closer look at how both are helping shape this new sporting generation.
Khelo India: A Strong Start for Young Athletes
Started in 2018 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Khelo India is not just a government program. It is a big idea that believes champions can come from any town or village, if they get the right support.
1. Spotting Talent Early
Under Khelo India, talented children aged 9 to 18 are identified through competitions like the Khelo India Youth Games and University Games. These events are not only about winning medals, but also about finding hidden talent across the country.
2. Financial Help and Academic Support
Each selected athlete receives ₹5 lakh per year for eight years. This helps them pay for coaching, sports gear, food, and medical needs. Many also receive help to continue their education, so they do not have to choose between school and sports.
3. Better Coaching and Facilities
The government has built over 1,000 Khelo India Centres and more than 30 State Centres of Excellence. These centres offer trained coaches, physiotherapists, and modern facilities. Whether it is a boxer from Manipur or a runner from Kerala, young athletes are now able to train seriously without leaving their hometowns.
Sports-Tech: Modern Tools for a New Generation
While Khelo India builds the base, sports technology is helping athletes train smarter. With help from science and gadgets, today’s athletes can measure their performance, avoid injuries, and stay ahead of their game.
1. Using Data to Train Smarter
With sensors in shoes, smartwatches, or even clothing, athletes can now track every jump, sprint, or push. Coaches use this data to adjust training plans. This helps avoid overtraining and focuses on areas that need the most improvement.
2. Preventing Injuries
Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are being used to predict injuries before they happen. This is very useful, especially in sports like cricket or wrestling where recovery time is long.
3. VR and AR for Practice
With Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), athletes can practise game situations without even stepping onto the field. A footballer, for example, can study how opponents defend during corners, or how a penalty kick might play out. These tools build confidence and improve decision-making.
4. Sports Startups Are Helping
New Indian startups like KhiladiPro and SportsMechanics are creating fitness tracking apps, AI-based dashboards, and performance analysis tools. These technologies are being adopted by schools, academies, and even Khelo India centres.
States Are Playing Their Part Too
It’s not just the central government. Many states are creating their own sports policies that work with Khelo India and use modern technology.
Gujarat has increased its sports budget from ₹2.5 crore in 2002 to more than ₹480 crore in 2024.
Delhi is opening six new Khelo India Centres to focus on sports like kabaddi, football, and volleyball.
Andhra Pradesh is using technologies like AI and VR to help athletes with training and fitness monitoring.
These efforts are helping young athletes from different regions get equal opportunities to shine.
Real Stories, Real Impact
The changes are already showing results. At the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games, Maharashtra topped the medal tally. Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh also performed strongly. Many medal winners shared how the support from Khelo India helped them reach this level.
For example, Reetika Hooda, a 17-year-old wrestler from Haryana, credited the program for helping her afford better training and nutrition. Manikanta H, a sprinter from Karnataka, said the fitness equipment and coaching he received made a big difference in his speed and timing.
Challenges Still Remain
Even with this progress, some issues need to be solved.
Many schools still lack proper sports fields or equipment.
Not all athletes have access to smartphones or the internet to benefit from digital tools.
Some states like Punjab, have performed poorly in youth games, showing gaps in planning and funding.
Teachers and coaches need more training to work with modern technology and science-based methods.
These challenges must be fixed to make the system work for everyone, not just a few.
The Road Ahead
Khelo India is helping discover talent early, while sports-tech is helping develop that talent into champions. This combination is powerful. If more schools, academies, and local governments join in, India can build a strong sports culture that goes beyond cricket.
The goal is not just to win medals, but to make sports a part of everyday life for young Indians. This will also create jobs in coaching, physiotherapy, sports media, and tech.
Conclusion: A New Beginning for Indian Sports
The future of Indian athletes looks brighter than ever. With the right support from programs like Khelo India and smart use of technology, young talent can now dream bigger and train better. Whether it is a runner from a small village or a swimmer from a city, every athlete deserves a chance to shine.
If we continue on this path, India could soon become a major force in world sports. And this time, it will be the result of planning, passion, and progress—not just luck.