Para stars Bhagat, Kadam give thumbs-up as Khelo India scheme aims for top-10 finish at 2036 Olympics

Sukant Kadam (left) and Pramod Bhagat at the Mumbai Press Club on Tuesday. Pic/Ashish Raje

[popcorn number="Rs 36,441 crore" desc="The money allocated to the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026-2031) by the government of India" class="Default"]

In a bid to strengthen India's sporting ecosystem, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) unveiled the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026-31) at the Mumbai Press Club on Tuesday. The government has allocated Rs 36,441 crore for the scheme, which aims to help India secure a top-10 finish at the 2036 Olympic Games, and break into the top five by 2048.

The government plans to build robust feeder networks across schools and colleges to provide structured support to athletes from childhood. Within the next six months, 30,000 athletes from the grassroots will be identified and provided access to comprehensive sports science resources.

World champion para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat highlighted the potential impact of the revamped scheme by contrasting it with his own early struggles. "When I started in 2001, I played on mud courts with no government backing. Today, athletes play on mats and receive early support. With this level of funding and execution, India can easily reach the top," said Bhagat.

Fellow para-shuttler and six-time world champion Sukant Kadam spoke about the importance of balancing education and sport. "The strategic push from the top transformed our medal tally across the Paralympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. As a mechanical engineer, I am living proof that academics and sports can go hand in hand," said Kadam.