‘Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana’: CM Rekha Gupta
Eligible athletes training at government sports centres and stadiums to receive assistance
Cash assistance for Under-14, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 athletes
Support will help meet expenses on nutrition, local travel, basic equipment and medical needs: CM Rekha Gupta
Providing young athletes with opportunities and necessary support is our priority: Education and Sports Minister Ashish Sood
New Delhi, September 2026 : The Delhi government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, has taken an important decision to nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level and help young athletes progress to higher levels of competition. At a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on Thursday, the government approved the introduction of the ‘Grassroot Training Support Assistance’ component under the ‘Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana’ (MKPY). Under the new initiative, eligible young athletes who regularly train at Delhi government sports centres and stadiums will receive financial assistance of Rs 2,000 per month. The aim is to remove financial barriers that can disrupt training and ensure that young athletes have access to continuous training from the early stages.
*A stronger pathway for young talent*
The Chief Minister said the new assistance scheme expands the reach of the ‘Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana’ to the grassroots level. In their initial years, athletes often have to meet regular expenses on nutrition, local travel, basic sporting equipment and medical needs. The monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 will help them continue their training without interruption. This will reduce the likelihood of talented athletes dropping out of training and help Delhi government sports centres and stadiums develop as strong hubs for grassroots talent development.
Under the new arrangement, assistance will be provided to up to 25 per cent of the regularly enrolled trainees at each government sports centre or stadium. Normally, a maximum of 100 athletes at any one stadium or centre will be covered. At larger stadiums with a higher number of trainees, this limit may be increased to 150 athletes, subject to budget availability. The scheme will cover athletes in the Under-14, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 age groups. Beneficiaries will be selected based on sporting performance and potential, regular attendance and discipline, and financial need. Eligible athletes will be required to fulfil the prescribed conditions, including regular enrolment and at least 80 per cent attendance.
*Special selection process, quarterly monitoring*
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said there will be a structured process for selecting beneficiaries, with their performance, attendance and discipline reviewed every quarter. This will help ensure that the assistance reaches young athletes who are training regularly and have the potential to progress in sport. The new initiative further expands the existing framework of the ‘Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana’.
She said that under the existing Training Support module, top-ranked athletes at the school level are provided assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh per year for coaching, equipment, participation in competitions, nutrition and other training-related requirements. Elite athletes representing Delhi and India at the highest level may receive assistance of up to Rs 20 lakh per year. Under Participation Support, eligible expenses related to participation in recognised international competitions are reimbursed up to Rs 2 lakh per athlete. Under Achievement Recognition, athletes who perform exceptionally in state, national and international competitions receive cash incentives as prescribed.
*Preparation in line with PM’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’*
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said identifying talent and developing it consistently from the grassroots level is essential to achieving excellence in sport. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has repeatedly emphasised the need to build a strong, inclusive and future-ready sporting culture in the country and to channel the energy of young people towards nation-building. The Delhi government’s initiative will help advance sporting talent from the grassroots level in line with this vision.
Delhi Education and Sports Minister Ashish Sood said there is no shortage of sporting talent in Delhi. Young athletes need only opportunities and the necessary support. “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,” he said.
