01 February,2026 01:37 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Union Budget 2026 offers major boost to sports development in India. File pic
Apart from the fiscal deficit and various other announcements, Union Budget 2026 also highlighted an increase in the budget outlay for sports goods manufacturing.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Budget on Sunday, proposed to extend the Khelo India Mission for the next 10 years.
The extension of the scheme and surge in fund allocation for the sporting sector will give a major boost to the development and nurturing of talent and push self-reliance in equipment and infrastructure.
These steps are aimed at developing the Indian sports ecosystem, capable of putting its best foot forward at the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics, for which the country has bid.
Keeping the goal in vision, the Finance Minister also proposed plans for a major upgrade in infrastructure and for the development of sports at the grassroots level.
While highlighting that India could be a global hub for sports manufacturing, she said, "India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for high-quality, affordable sports goods," Sitharaman said in her budget speech.
"I propose a dedicated initiative for sports goods that will promote manufacturing, research, and innovation in equipment design as well as material sciences," she added.
Sitharaman further said, "I propose to introduce a dedicated Rs 10,000 crore SME growth fund to create future champions, incentivising enterprises based on select criteria."
The government also proposed a long-term Khelo India Mission that will be in force for the next 10 years.
"Taking forward the systematic nurturing of sports talent which is set in motion through the Khelo India programme, I propose to launch a Khelo India Mission to transform the sports sector over the next decade," she added.
The sports development industry could act as a major boost to the economy.
Sitharaman noted the sports sector in India has great potential to generate employment, skilling, and job creation.
Underlining the government's intent to develop sports as an economic ecosystem, she highlighted the money to be invested in training, coaching, equipment manufacturing, and support services in the upcoming financial year.
The government has, accordingly, increased the total budget allocations for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in Union Budget 2026 from Rs 800 crore to Rs 1000 crore. Among the other major hikes, the Budget for the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has been increased from Rs 815 crore to Rs 830 crore, while the outlay for incentives to athletes was reduced from 42.65 crore to Rs 37 crore.
Also, the National Sports Federations will get more funds as its Budget allocation has been increased from Rs 340 crore to Rs 400 crore while the National Dope Testing Laboratory will get Rs 23 crore instead of the earlier Rs 18.70 crore, ensuring that the regulator keeps an eye on athletes using fraudulent ways to enhance their performances.
(With inputs from IANS)
