Union Budget allocates ₹45 crore boost to Sports Ministry

In the latest interim Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a notable increase for the Sports Ministry, allocating ₹3,442.32 crore, a rise of ₹45.36 crore compared to the previous year's revised allocation of ₹3,396.96 crore.

The Khelo India program, a flagship initiative of the Sports Ministry, received a boost with an allocation of ₹900 crore, marking a ₹20 crore increase from the previous budget. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) witnessed a substantial rise of ₹26.83 crore in its budget, supporting national camps, infrastructure, equipment, and coaching for athletes.

Focus on 2024 Olympic Games

The upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, will be a central focus during the 2024-25 financial year. The budgetary allocations emphasize the government's commitment to preparing and supporting Indian athletes for the prestigious international event.

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National Sports Federations (NSFs) will see a ₹15 crore increase compared to the previous year's revised budget of ₹325 crore. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) also received a raise, with ₹22.30 crore allocated in the interim budget, an increase from ₹21.73 crore in the 2023-24 budget.

Notable reductions and adjustments

While the budget for the National Centre of Sports Science and Research decreased to ₹8 crore from ₹10 crore, the National Sports University's allocation increased to ₹91.90 crore from ₹83.21 crore in the 2023-24 budget. However, incentives for sportspersons saw a significant reduction from ₹84 crore to ₹39 crore. The budget for the Commonwealth Games also witnessed a substantial decrease, dropping from ₹15 crore in the previous budget to ₹0.01 crore this time.

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