Budget 2024: Sports Ministry allocated Rs 3,442.32 crore- Highlights
Sports Ministry received a boost in their budget going into the Olympics year.
Sports Infrastructure Projects Himalayan Region - Representational Image
The Sports Ministry was on Thursday allocated Rs 3,442.32 crore, a hike of Rs 45.36 crore as compared to last year, in the interim Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
In the previous budget, the Sports Ministry had got a revised allocation of Rs 3,396.96 crore.
The Olympic Games in Paris, to be held from July 26 to August 11, will be the country's main focus during the 2024-25 financial year.
See the key highlights:
"In this Olympic year, the positive aspect is the increased support for athlete training programs. With enhanced funding, our athletes can access better coaching, sports science support, and other essential resources, ultimately improving their performance on the global stage," PT Usha said.
The National Sports Federations (NSFs) will receive Rs 15 crore more this time, as compared to the 2023-24 revised budget of Rs 325 crore.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) also got a raise with the government allocating Rs 22.30 crore in the interim budget as compared to Rs 21.73 crore in 2023-24.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI), which organizes national camps, provides infrastructure and equipment to athletes, and appoints coaches among others, saw a Rs 26.83 crore increase in its budgetary allocation from the previous year's revised expenditure of Rs 795.77 crore.
The ministry's flagship program, Khelo India, was allotted Rs 900 crore, an increase of Rs 20 crore from the previous budget.
The Finance Minister mentioned chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa and his historic win against Magnus Carlsen along with increasing number of Indian Chess Grandmasters.
India recorded historic medal tally in both Asian Games and Asian Para Games with 107 medals and 117 medals respectively.