New Delhi: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, launched the second phase of the KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) programme at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi today. The event was graced by Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, eminent athletes, senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and enthusiastic MCD school children.
In his address, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the immense potential and diversity of talent in India, particularly from remote regions like the North-East, coastal, Himalayan, and tribal areas. “India is full of diversity and potential. There has never been a shortage of brainpower, manpower, or talent in India,” he said. “KIRTI is aimed at spotting these talented athletes and developing their skills.”
Highlighting the government’s commitment to making India a global sports superpower, Dr. Mandaviya pointed to the country’s recent successes in global championships, including the Olympics. “Our Hon’ble PM Narendra Modiji has repeatedly stressed the importance of sports in our lives. The focused approach of the government is reflected in our enhanced medals tally in recent years. We need to have a steady stream of these high-performing assets, and that’s where KIRTI, a stepping stone to sporting excellence, comes into play,” he added.
Addressing the young schoolchildren present at the launch, Dr. Mandaviya inspired them by saying, “Among you, there will certainly be an Olympic champion. I appreciate the fact that your parents are backing you to play sports. Maybe one day, when you win an Olympic medal, you or your parents will remember this day at the JLN Stadium.”
Dr. Mandaviya announced the government’s ambitious plan to identify 1 lakh budding young athletes within 100 days under the KIRTI programme. “Everyone will be given opportunities to develop their sports skills, whether they live in a village or a city, and whether they come from a poor background or otherwise,” he stated.
Today’s event marks the beginning of a nationwide talent hunt aimed at positioning India among the top five nations in the Olympic Games by 2047. Notably, 28 out of the 117 athletes representing India in the Paris Olympics this year have emerged from the Khelo India ecosystem.
The KIRTI programme’s talent identification model is scientifically planned, utilizing IT tools and global best practices. The project seeks to bridge the gap and provide direction to young athletes to choose a career path based on their abilities. With a decentralized and pocket-based approach, KIRTI aims for mass participation and excellence in sports, targeting over 1 lakh assessments within 100 days at 100 locations, and eventually scaling up to conduct 20 lakh assessments within a year.
In Delhi, SAI, in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), will conduct KIRTI assessments for over 25,000 MCD students across 12 zones. These assessments will span 27 days and cover five major disciplines: Athletics, Football, Volleyball, Kabaddi, and Kho-Kho.
The MCD’s pilot project in 2022-23 organized various sports camps across Delhi for young students aged 6-10 years, covering sports such as football and volleyball. The third phase of the KIRTI programme will expand to include all 20 disciplines of the Khelo India scheme.