Grassroot Training Support Assistance to benefit eligible U-14, U-17, U-19 and U-21 athletes training at Delhi government sports centres and stadiums
New Delhi : The Delhi government has approved a new financial assistance initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots sports and helping young athletes continue their training without financial constraints.
Under the ‘Grassroot Training Support Assistance’ component of the Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana, eligible athletes training at Delhi government sports centres and stadiums will receive ₹2,000 per month.
The assistance is intended to help young sportspersons meet day-to-day expenses associated with training, including nutrition, local travel, sports equipment and medical requirements.
Support for Athletes from U-14 to U-21
The scheme will cover athletes in four age categories:
- Under-14
- Under-17
- Under-19
- Under-21
The initiative is particularly focused on athletes at the grassroots stage, when regular training and participation in competitions can involve significant expenses for families.
The monthly financial support is expected to help athletes remain focused on their sporting development rather than being forced to reduce or discontinue training because of financial difficulties.
Assistance Linked to Government Sports Centres
The benefit will be available to eligible athletes who are enrolled and training at Delhi government sports centres and stadiums.
The government has also proposed a selection mechanism so that the assistance reaches athletes who are actively involved in training and show potential for further development.
Selection will take into account factors such as sporting performance, training participation, attendance, discipline and financial need.
Attendance and Performance to Remain Important
Regular participation will be an important part of the assistance programme. Selected athletes will be required to maintain the prescribed attendance and training standards.
The performance and progress of beneficiaries will also be reviewed periodically to ensure that government assistance continues to reach athletes who are actively pursuing their sporting careers.
Financial Help for Everyday Sporting Needs
For young athletes, expenses related to sports often go beyond coaching fees. Nutrition, travel to training venues, equipment replacement and basic medical requirements can also add to the financial burden.
The ₹2,000 monthly assistance is designed to provide direct support for such needs and make regular training more accessible to young athletes from different economic backgrounds.
Part of Delhi’s Wider Sports Support System
The Grassroot Training Support Assistance is part of the Delhi government’s broader effort to create a structured support system for athletes at different stages of their sporting journey.
The Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana is aimed at supporting athletes through training, participation and performance-based assistance, with a focus on developing sporting talent from the grassroots level.
The government’s broader objective is to identify promising athletes early, provide them with the resources required for development and create opportunities for them to progress towards higher-level competitions.
Focus on Building a Strong Grassroots Sports Pipeline
The latest decision reflects the Delhi government’s emphasis on strengthening the foundation of its sports ecosystem.
By providing financial assistance to young athletes training at government facilities, the scheme seeks to reduce some of the economic barriers that can prevent talented sportspersons from continuing their training.
The initiative is also expected to encourage more young people to take up organised sports and pursue competitive careers.
With support beginning at the grassroots level and extending towards higher levels of training and competition, the government aims to build a stronger pipeline of sporting talent in Delhi.
