Union Sports Budget Must be Increased to Tenfold

India stands at a crucial juncture in its sports history. With the upcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games and plans to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, the nation has a unique opportunity to transform its sports landscape and join the ranks of the world's top ten Olympic nations. To achieve this ambitious goal, the Union Sports Budget must be increased tenfold, a bold yet necessary step to unlock India's vast potential.

With an economy valued at 4 trillion USD, India is poised to dedicate significant resources to unlock its sports potential over the next decade. This investment will have a broad impact beyond just sports. Crucially, it presents a timely opportunity for India to transform the nation's sporting landscape. The newly introduced national sports policy, Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, launched by the Government in 2025, outlines comprehensive development in and through sports. With increased budgetary support, this new sports policy will be implemented effectively at all levels.

India’s Sporting Potential

With a population of 1.45 billion, India has the largest talent pool in the world. From rural villages to bustling cities, young athletes are emerging with extraordinary skills and determination. Yet, the lack of adequate infrastructure, funding, and systematic support often prevents these talents from blossoming into world-class performers.

India has already demonstrated exceptional talent in sports such as shooting, wrestling, badminton, boxing, athletics, and hockey. However, the sport that has truly placed India on the global sports map is cricket, where the country has displayed remarkable achievements both on and off the field. To consistently develop world-class athletes and achieve a substantial medal count at international competitions, India must make significant investments in all aspects of its sporting infrastructure.

India’s Growing Role in Global Sports

India's sports landscape is experiencing swift changes. It successfully hosted the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. Recently, the country organized the Para World Athletic Championships 2025 in Delhi, and in recent years, India has successfully hosted numerous other global events in sports like Hockey, Football, and Kho-Kho, showcasing its ability to manage large international events effectively. Currently, Goa is hosting the Chess World Cup (FIDE World Cup 2025). Looking ahead, India is preparing to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, further cementing its position on the global sports stage.

These events form a part of a larger plan to expand India’s presence in global sports. The primary aim is to bid for and host the Olympic Games in 2036. Hosting the Olympics would be a monumental accomplishment and a driving force for revolutionizing sports infrastructure and culture nationwide. Additionally, it is crucial to enhance India's soft power on the world stage by broadening its spectrum of sporting success and expanding the sporting landscape, making sports a key factor in positioning India within the global community.

The Need for Increased Sports Budget

To achieve these goals, India needs to substantially boost its investment in sports. At present, the Union Government's annual sports budget is approximately 3,800 crore (Rupees), and each state government independently allocates between 50 and 1,000 crores annually. This level of funding is inadequate for developing world-class facilities, fostering talent, and supporting athletes in various disciplines.

For India to host the 2036 Olympics and compete effectively across all events, a substantial increase in the sports budget is crucial. To reach international standards and achieve sporting excellence, the Union Government should enhance its sports budget minimum to approximately 200,000 crores (USD 25 billion) over the next decade {with an annual allocation of minimum 20,000 crores (USD 2.5 billion from 2026-27) for the next 10 years} excluding the bidding and hosting Olympic Games budget. India's current union budget for the financial year 2025-26 is about 550 billion USD, and it is anticipated to grow significantly each year, enabling India to allocate more than 25 billion USD for sports over the next decade. This significant increase would support comprehensive development in several key areas:

• Competition structure: Developing additional tournaments and leagues at district, state, and national levels to offer athletes consistent high-quality competition, while expanding the Khelo India presence in active partnership with key stakeholders.

  
  

• High-performance ecosystem: Expanding high-performance centers and creating centers of excellence across all districts in India, offering expert coaching, sports science, and medical support.

  
  

• Infrastructure: Develop contemporary training centers in each district and major city, ensuring access for athletes of all backgrounds. Additionally, invest in establishing several world-class sports arenas suitable for hosting high quality competitions including international events.

  
  

• Sports Education & Coaching (Capacity Building): There is a shortage of skilled personnel in the sports sector, spanning from coaches to sports managers at all levels. It is essential to train qualified coaches, sports scientists, and other skilled individuals, including sports management professionals, to establish a necessary ecosystem. This ecosystem should include everyone from volunteers to professionals, providing the required support for the growth of not only high-performance sports but also the entire system, from grassroots to professional structures, ultimately contributing to a vibrant sports economy.

  
  

• Grassroots & Scouting: Boost investments to expand participation by implementing sports initiatives in schools, villages, rural, and tribal areas, and broaden the talent pool for each sport through comprehensive 360-degree scouting efforts.

  
  

• Organizing Global Events & Enhancing International Exposure: Boost the frequency of international events held in India and allocate a larger budget for the international exposure and training of elite athletes and teams.

  
  

States’ Role and Union Government Support

Another critical dimension of substantially increasing the Union Sports Budget is its catalytic effect on the States. When the central government demonstrates bold commitment by enhancing its sports budget, many States will be motivated to follow suit and allocate more resources to sports development.

However, it is important to recognize that several States face budgetary constraints and economic limitations, which restrict their ability to increase sports funding. In such cases, a robust Union Sports Budget becomes a lifeline, enabling these States to elevate their sports development programs through central support mechanisms such as the Khelo India scheme and other initiatives of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

This dual approach: Union leadership combined with State-level participation will ensure that sports development reaches every corner of the country. It will also guarantee that no State is left behind due to financial limitations, thereby creating a uniform and inclusive sporting ecosystem across India.

District-Specific Sports Development

Every district in India must have a customized sports development plan. This includes:

• Building world-class infrastructure for elite athlete training.

• Creating community-level facilities to encourage mass participation.

• Integrating sports into education systems to ensure early talent identification.

Such district-level planning will ensure that India’s sporting growth is inclusive, widespread, and sustainable.

Building Champions for the Future

Developing champions requires a long-term, strategic approach. India must focus on identifying talent early and providing continuous support through every stage of an athlete’s career. This includes access to quality coaching, nutrition, mental health resources, and international exposure.

Organizing significant events such as the Commonwealth Games, World Para Athletic Championships, and other international competitions enhances expertise in event management and boosts public enthusiasm. Additionally, these events inspire athletes to excel when competing in their own country.

By the time India hosts the Olympics in 2036, the nation should have competitive athletes or teams across all sports. To accomplish this, there must be consistent planning, increased funding, and a culture that regards sports as an essential component of national development. It is necessary to create sport-specific strategic plans to elevate each sport and its athletes to a world-class competitive level by 2036. This will enable India to make history in the sporting world and inspire every Indian to engage in sports for life.

The Crucial Decade Ahead

The next ten years are pivotal for Indian sports. With the right budgetary support:

• More talented children will be identified and trained.

• Opportunities for participation will expand dramatically.

• Communities will rally behind sports, creating a culture of support and pride.

  
  

Each Sports Federation must also develop a customized strategic plan to grow its discipline from grassroots to elite levels. With adequate funding, federations can overcome challenges related to resources, logistics, and athlete welfare.

A Game-Changer for India

Government of India has already demonstrated its commitment to sports. However, incremental increases in the Union Sports Budget are no longer sufficient. A tenfold increase would be a game-changer, enabling India to:

• Develop skills and expertise (capacity building) across all levels of sports, encompassing areas from coaching to management, as well as sports science to sports entrepreneurship.

• Create a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures athletes.

• Position itself as a global sporting powerhouse.

  
  

When the government makes substantial investments in various areas of sports, it initiates a ripple effect within the sports economy. Eventually, after a decade, government funding for sports can be reduced, as increased investment from the corporate and private sectors will take over. This growth in the sports industry will invigorate the system, leading to enhanced economic growth. As a result, various sports in India will achieve a more commercially sustainable model due to improved performances both on and off the field.

When India hosts the Olympic Games in 2036, the nation must not only organize the event successfully but also compete with confidence, aiming to finish among the top ten nations in the medal tally.

The Broader Impact on Indian Society

Investing in sports goes beyond winning medals. It promotes health, discipline, teamwork, and national pride. Sports can unite diverse communities and inspire young people to pursue their dreams. The success of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team is a powerful example of what can be achieved with dedication and support.

As India prepares for a future filled with sporting opportunities, it is essential to maintain this momentum. Encouraging participation at the grassroots level, improving facilities, and supporting athletes financially and emotionally will create a sustainable sports ecosystem.

The vision is clear: India must invest boldly in its sporting future. A tenfold increase in the Union Sports Budget is not just desirable it is essential. With the right resources, India can inspire generations, dominate the global stage, and establish itself as one of the most vibrant sporting nations in the world.