Sports Budget has increased almost three times since 2014: PM  

New Delhi: The Sports Budget of the country has increased almost three times since 2014, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
“The Sports Ministry has been allocated a budget of Rs 2,500 crore this year as compared to Rs 800-850 crore before 2014,” Modi said in an apparent reference to the previous Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, while addressing the ‘Jaipur Mahakhel’ via video conferencing.
He also informed that over Rs 1,000 crore have been allocated to the ‘Khelo India’ campaign alone which will be spent on the development of sports facilities and resources across the country.
“In the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of independence, the country is forging new definitions and creating a new order”, the PM remarked.
He underlined that sports are finally being viewed from the athlete’s perspective rather than a political one.
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The PM observed that there was no lack of passion and talent for sports among the youth of the country, but it was the unavailability of resources and support from the government that created hindrances.
“These issues faced by the athletes are being addressed today. Our government is attentive that no youth should be left behind due to lack of money,” Modi said.
The PM asserted that the series of sports competitions and ‘Khel Mahakumbhs’ that are being organised all over the country is a reflection of the monumental changes taking place.
Giving the example of Jaipur Mahakhel , Modi said that Khel Mahakumbhs are being organised in every part of the country by Members of Parliament from the BJP where the talents of thousands of youths are coming to the fore.
BJP’s Lok Sabha MP from Jaipur Rural, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, has been organising the Jaipur Mahakhel since 2017.
The Mahakhel, focussing on Kabaddi competition this year, started on National Youth Day (January 12). It has witnessed the participation of more than 6,400 youths and sports persons from more than 450-gram panchayats, municipalities and wards of all 8 legislative assembly regions of Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency.
The organisation of Mahakhel provides an opportunity for the youth of Jaipur to showcase their sporting talent and also motivates them to take up sports as a career option.
UNI