India’s Sporting Future Gets ₹120 Crore Push: Six New Projects Launched, Athlete Support Gets a Major Boost

India’s sporting ambitions received a powerful boost on February 3, 2026, as the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, virtually laid the foundation stones for six major sports infrastructure projects and inaugurated two state-of-the-art athlete support facilities. With a total investment of ₹120 crore, the move signals a renewed and resolute push towards building a world-class, athlete-centric sports ecosystem.The initiatives, spread across multiple regions, underline the Union Government’s commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that high-quality sports infrastructure reaches beyond traditional hubs and into emerging centres of talent.Strengthening Infrastructure Under Khelo IndiaAt the heart of the announcement are six foundation stone projects worth ₹82 crore, being implemented under the flagship Khelo India Scheme, with additional support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). These projects are strategically located across the country, including the North-Eastern and Eastern regions, to promote balanced regional growth.The projects include the upgradation of a synthetic hockey turf in Bengaluru, the construction of a multi-purpose hall in Patiala, and the laying of synthetic athletic tracks in Bhopal, Guwahati and Jalpaiguri. Additionally, a multi-purpose judo hall in Bhopal will cater to combat sports athletes, strengthening India’s preparation base in Olympic disciplines.Together, these facilities aim to provide athletes with international-standard training environments, reducing gaps in access and improving competitive readiness.New Athlete Support Centres at NS NIS, PatialaAlongside new infrastructure, Dr. Mandaviya inaugurated two completed athlete support facilities at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NS NIS), Patiala, built at a cost of ₹38 crore. These facilities reflect a growing emphasis on sports science, nutrition and holistic athlete care.A newly established centralised kitchen and food court-cum-dining hall will enhance nutrition services for trainees, ensuring athletes receive scientifically planned diets. The Integrated Sports Science Centre and Conditioning Hall will offer advanced support for performance analysis, rehabilitation, recovery and conditioning—key pillars of modern elite sport.Accountability, Maintenance and Optimal UseAddressing officials, Dr. Mandaviya stressed that creating infrastructure is only half the task. Emphasising SAI’s responsibility, he said that sports assets must be properly maintained, optimally utilised and, wherever possible, commercially leveraged.To ensure accountability, the Minister announced a strict monitoring framework. Projects will undergo monthly reviews by SAI, while quarterly reviews will be personally conducted by him. The objective is clear: fast-track execution and maximum utilisation of facilities created for athletes.Policy Backing and Financial SupportThe Minister recalled the Union Finance Minister’s announcement of the Khelo India Mission, which provides a strong policy backbone to infrastructure development and athlete support under the broader national sports policy framework.He also highlighted the allocation of ₹500 crore for Sports Goods Manufacturing, aimed at boosting domestic production and creating a self-reliant, globally competitive sports ecosystem. This initiative complements infrastructure upgrades under Khelo India and SAI projects nationwide.A Vision for 2036 and BeyondLooking ahead, Dr. Mandaviya reiterated the government’s long-term performance goals. “We must work collectively to realise Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and among the top five when the country celebrates 100 years of Independence,” he said.He emphasised that sport is now a profession, calling for stronger talent identification systems and smoother pathways from grassroots to elite levels. With sustained investment, monitoring and policy support, India’s high-performance sports ecosystem is steadily taking shape.