By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi, September 10, 2026: The Delhi government has approved a new grassroots sports support initiative under the ‘Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana’ (MKPY), providing eligible young athletes training at government sports centres and stadiums with financial assistance of ₹2,000 per month.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta on Thursday. The new ‘Grassroot Training Support Assistance’ component is aimed at removing financial hurdles that can interrupt training and helping promising athletes continue their sporting journey from an early age.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said young athletes often face regular expenses related to nutrition, local travel, basic sporting equipment and medical needs. The monthly assistance, she said, would help ensure continuity in training and reduce the chances of talented youngsters dropping out because of financial difficulties.
Support for U-14 to U-21 Athletes
The initiative will cover athletes in the Under-14, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 age groups who regularly train at Delhi government sports centres and stadiums.
Assistance will be extended to up to 25 per cent of regularly enrolled trainees at each government sports centre or stadium. Normally, a maximum of 100 athletes at any one centre or stadium will be covered. At larger facilities with higher enrolment, the ceiling may be increased to 150 athletes, subject to budget availability.
Beneficiaries will be selected on the basis of their sporting performance and potential, regular attendance and discipline, and financial need. Athletes will also have to fulfil prescribed eligibility conditions, including regular enrolment and a minimum 80 per cent attendance.
Quarterly Review to Ensure Targeted Support
The Chief Minister said the beneficiary selection process would be structured and transparent, with athletes’ performance, attendance and discipline reviewed every quarter.
The new component expands the existing MKPY framework, which already provides support to athletes at different stages of their sporting careers.
Under the existing Training Support module, top-ranked school-level athletes can receive assistance of up to ₹5 lakh annually for coaching, equipment, competition participation, nutrition and other training-related requirements. Elite athletes representing Delhi and India at the highest level may receive assistance of up to ₹20 lakh per year.
Under Participation Support, eligible expenses for recognised international competitions are reimbursed up to ₹2 lakh per athlete, while the Achievement Recognition component provides cash incentives to athletes recording outstanding performances at state, national and international competitions.
Focus on Building Sporting Talent from the Ground Up
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said identifying sporting talent and nurturing it consistently from the grassroots level was essential for achieving excellence in sports.
She highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for developing a strong, inclusive and future-ready sporting culture in the country and channelising the energy of young people towards nation-building. The Delhi government’s latest initiative, she said, would strengthen the pathway for young athletes in line with the broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Delhi Education and Sports Minister Ashish Sood said Delhi has no shortage of sporting talent, but young athletes need opportunities and the necessary support to realise their potential.
“Through this decision, we are ensuring that no talented athlete is forced to give up their sporting dream because of financial difficulties. This is our commitment to building a stronger, sports-rich Delhi,” Sood said.
The new monthly assistance is expected to strengthen grassroots training facilities while providing young athletes with additional support to remain focused on training and competitive development.
