Delhi approves ₹9.75 crore aid for 123 athletes, expands sports scheme

The Delhi government has approved ₹9.75 crore in financial assistance for 123 sportspersons under the Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana (MMKPY), while expanding the scheme to cover additional sporting disciplines.

According to The Tribune, the approved beneficiaries include 89 elite athletes and 34 school-level players. The assistance is intended to help athletes meet expenses related to specialised coaching, equipment, nutrition and training as they prepare for competitive events.

Education Minister Ashish Sood approved the proposal, which extends support to athletes competing in both traditional and modern sports.

Elite athletes eligible for up to ₹20 lakh

Under the scheme, elite sportspersons will be eligible for financial assistance of up to ₹20 lakh each. The funding is intended to support training requirements and preparation for national and international competitions, while the school-level component aims to support emerging sporting talent.

Of the total approved amount, ₹5.85 crore, 60 per cent of the allocation will be transferred to beneficiaries’ verified bank accounts in the first phase. The remaining ₹3.90 crore will be released after beneficiaries submit utilisation certificates and supporting vouchers, followed by verification.

The government said beneficiaries were selected on the recommendations of a Committee of Experts. Further disbursements will therefore be linked to the verification of how the initial funds have been used.

More sports added to the scheme

The expansion adds five disciplines: Wushu, roller skating, kabaddi, handball and basketball at the elite level.

For school-level athletes, the scheme will now also cover Wushu, Mallakhamb, Yogasana and roller skating. The additions broaden the range of sports eligible for assistance and extend the scheme’s reach among younger athletes.

Sood said the initiative was intended to ensure that financial constraints did not prevent promising sportspersons from pursuing competitive careers. He also emphasised the role of sports and physical education in developing discipline and confidence among students.

The expanded coverage includes both established competitive disciplines and traditional sporting activities, creating more routes for athletes to seek support through the scheme.

Focus on athletes’ training needs

The latest approval follows a wider push to provide financial support to athletes at different stages of development. In September, the Delhi government also approved a Grassroots Training Support Assistance component under the MMKPY. That initiative provides eligible athletes training regularly at government sports centres and stadiums with ₹2,000 per month for expenses such as nutrition, local travel, basic equipment and medical needs.

The two measures address different levels of the sporting pathway: the monthly assistance supports eligible grassroots trainees, while the latest ₹9.75-crore allocation targets selected elite athletes and school-level players.

The expanded scheme is expected to help beneficiaries manage training and competition-related costs. The release of the remaining funds will depend on the required utilisation documentation and verification process.