A Parliamentary Standing Committee on sports has voiced serious concerns regarding the financial health of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the underutilization of funds allocated to the Khelo India Scheme. The committee, headed by Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, observed that SAI's financial well-being is crucial for India's performance in international sporting events. The committee includes members such as cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, and BJP's Sambit Patra and Bansuri Swaraj.
The Committee has declared the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as "critically" under-funded and under-staffed and also noted that India's international performances are "far from satisfactory". They have urged the Sports Ministry to not only increase funding but also adopt a targeted approach, focusing on sports where India has a higher likelihood of winning medals. The committee suggested identifying specific sporting events with the best chances of winning medals and concentrating resources on nurturing talent in those areas to achieve international standards. They observed that approximately 45% of the sanctioned posts within the Authority are currently vacant. More National Centres of Excellence are required and this requires higher budgetary allocation for the SAI.
The panel expressed concern over the diversion of funds from the Khelo India Scheme to National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) of SAI in the last two financial years. This diversion has resulted in a shortfall of ₹38.79 crores for the Khelo India Scheme. Furthermore, ₹122.30 crore of allocated funds under this scheme was returned to the Consolidated Fund of India.
The Khelo India Scheme, a flagship program of the government, aims to revive sports culture in India and promote excellence in sports. The scheme is implemented by a General Council, with the minister-in-charge as chairperson. The Committee has suggested appointing an eminent sportsperson or sports administrator as the Chief Executive Officer of the General Council to oversee the scheme's implementation. Such a person would be sensitive to the problems faced by athletes and act as an interface between athletes and the administration.
The Committee has also taken note of several constraints in the implementation of the Khelo India scheme including inadequate funds, human resources, and sports infrastructure. They also noted that the talent identification process was complex and lengthy. They have recommended that the Department should utilize allocated funds and mobilize resources from private and corporate sectors, encourage public-private partnerships for sports infrastructure, and converge the scheme with the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the lack of sports infrastructure in schools, colleges, and universities. The Committee also observed a shortage of coaches, with many posts vacant and has recommended that these posts be filled and the Department should collaborate with coaches running private sports academies to help train athletes. The Committee has also identified the main reason for drop-outs as a lack of integrated education at the academies and recommended that the academies should have educational and hostel facilities so that trainees can complete their basic education.
