Delhi Cabinet approves ₹2,000 monthly support for young athletes

The Delhi Cabinet has approved a ₹2,000 monthly support scheme for selected young athletes training at government sports centres and stadiums.

The Grassroots Training Support Assistance component of the Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana will cover trainees in the Under-14, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 categories. At each centre or stadium, up to 25% of regularly enrolled trainees will be eligible for the assistance.

The scheme sets a ceiling of 100 athletes at each centre. Larger stadiums may be allowed to cover up to 150 athletes.

It expands the existing Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana, which provides top-ranked school-level athletes with support of up to ₹5 lakh a year for coaching, equipment, competitions, nutrition and other training needs. Elite athletes representing Delhi and India at the highest level can receive up to ₹20 lakh annually.

Sports Minister Ashish Sood said the support was intended to ensure financial constraints do not prevent promising athletes from continuing their sporting ambitions.