1342 Athletes Removed from Khelo India in Three Years, Govt Tightens Anti-Doping Net

Khelo India Programme faced a drop out of 1,342 athletes over three years. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha about the development. The exits were due to poor performance and doping violations.

He was responding to a question on athlete performance under the scheme. The minister said 2,905 new athletes were added during the same period.

“A total of 1,342 athletes have exited the programme during the last three years due to performance below the prescribed benchmarks and involvement in doping violations,” he said in his written reply.

He stressed that reviews are conducted regularly. “Performance benchmarks are revised annually and are updated on the Khelo India website from time to time. Athlete performance is mapped and measured annually as per the prescribed protocols and in assessment camps,” Mandaviya stated.

At present, more than 23,000 athletes are being supported across the country under Khelo India. The Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC) manages both induction and exit. The process includes assessment camps and performance tracking.

The Khelo India Programme was launched in 2017. It focuses on spotting and nurturing grassroots talent. Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker is among its leading beneficiaries.

The minister also spoke about anti-doping action. He said the government is strengthening enforcement and intelligence systems.

“The Government is committed to ensure clean sport and has taken several steps to strengthen intelligence-gathering and investigative mechanisms, such as institutional strengthening of NADA’s Intelligence and Investigation infrastructure, including the recruitment and training of specialised personnel,” he said.

He added that agencies like the CBI are being involved to support the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

India has topped the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list for the highest number of positive cases in the past three years. The government says stricter monitoring is now in place.

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