3-fold increase in funding for sports sector in Union Budget since 2014: PM Modi proud

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that since 2014, the allocation of funds for the sports sector in the Union Budget has almost tripled.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday addressed the athletes participating in the Mega Games in Jaipur, Rajasthan via video. He said, “Before 2014, only Rs. 800 to Rs. 850 crore was allotted to the Ministry of Sports in the Union Budget. But this year’s budget has allocated Rs.2,500 crore. Only Rs 1,000 crore has been earmarked for the ‘Gelo India’ project, which is set up to develop sports facilities and resources across the country.

Sports are viewed from the perspective of athletes rather than from a political perspective. There is no dearth of passion and talent for sports among the country’s youth. But lack of support from the government created hurdles. These issues faced by athletes are currently being addressed. “Our government is focused on ensuring that no youth is left behind because of lack of money,” he said.

Since 2017..

The mega sports competition has been held since 2017 under the aegis of Jaipur Lok Sabha BJP member and former Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

With the Kabaddi tournament as the focus this year, the mega sports tournament launched on National Youth Day (January 12) saw the participation of over 6,400 youth and athletes from over 450 gram panchayats, municipalities and wards in 8 assembly constituencies.