With the Paris Olympics 2024 drawing near, India is doing everything possible to ensure it performs spectacularly in the international arena. To further improve India’s reputation in international sports and build on the success of the Tokyo Olympics, the Sports Ministry has dramatically increased its spending on athletes and sports-related fields. Paris Olympics 2024: India’s Investment in Athletes and Sports is crucial for the nation’s medal tally and overall sporting growth. An overview of the major focus areas and the amount of money invested by the Sports Ministry is provided here.
Overall Budget Allocation
The Indian government has been steadily increasing its budget allocation for sports over the years. For the fiscal year 2023-2024, the sports budget was increased to approximately ₹3,397.32 crore (about $415 million USD), marking a substantial rise from previous years.
Strategic Investments in Athletes and Training
The Sports Ministry’s approach to preparing for the Paris Olympics involves substantial financial backing, aimed at providing comprehensive support to athletes. This includes funding for training, international exposure, equipment, and coaching.
- Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
- Budget Allocation: Approximately INR 500 crore (USD 67 million)
- Focus: This flagship program identifies and supports top athletes with the potential to win medals. Athletes receive financial assistance for training abroad, access to world-class coaching, medical support, and dietary needs.
- National Camps and Infrastructure Development
- Budget Allocation: Over INR 300 crore (USD 40 million)
- Focus: Establishing national camps equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and ensuring athletes have access to high-quality training environments. Significant upgrades have been made to training centers in cities like Bengaluru, Patiala, and Delhi.
- International Competitions and Exposure
- Budget Allocation: INR 150 crore (USD 20 million)
- Focus: Sending athletes to compete in international competitions to gain exposure and experience. This includes participation in World Championships, Continental Games, and other international meets.
Investment by the Sports Ministry in India's Famous Athletes for Paris Olympics 2024
| No. | Athlete | Sport | Investment (in crores) | Training base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neeraj Chopra | Javelin throw | ₹5.72 | SAI NSNIS Patiala/Europe |
| 2 | Indian men’s hockey team | Hockey | ₹41.81 | SAI NCOE Bengaluru |
| 3 | Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty | Badminton (men’s doubles) | ₹5.62 | Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad, Telangana |
| 4 | PV Sindhu | Badminton | ₹3.13 | Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, Bengaluru |
| 5 | Mirabai Chanu | Weightlifting | ₹2.74 | SAI NSNIS Patiala |
| 6 | Manu Bhaker | Shooting | ₹1.68 | SAI Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi |
| 7 | Sift Kaur Samra | Shooting | ₹1.63 | SAI Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi |
| 8 | Rohan Bopanna | Tennis | ₹1.56 | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 9 | Manika Batra | Table tennis | ₹1.30 | Private Academy, Mumbai, and AVSC Table Tennis Academy, |
| 10 | Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borogohain | Boxing | ₹91.71 Lakh and 81.76 Lakh | SAI NSNIS Patiala |
| 11 | Vinesh Phogat | Wrestling | ₹70.45 Lakh | Pratap School, Kharkhoda, Haryana |
| 12 | Anish Bhanwala | Shooting | 2.41 crore | SAI Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi |
| 13 | Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar | Shooting | 1.56 crore | MP Shooting Academy, Bhopal |
| 14 | Elavenil Valarivan | Shooting | 1.32 crore | Gun for Glory, Chennai |
| 15 | Sharath Kamal | Table Tennis | 1.14 crore | SDAT AKG Table Tennis Development Centre, Chennai |
| 16 | Dhiraj Bommadevara | Archery | 1.07 crore | SAI Sonepat |
| 17 | Vishnu Saravanan | Sailing | 99.33 lakh | Army Yachting Node, Mumbai | Royal Valencia Yacht Club, Europe |
Grassroots Development and Long-Term Vision
Apart from supporting elite athletes, the Sports Ministry has also invested in grassroots development to ensure a steady pipeline of talent for future Olympic Games.
- Khelo India Program
- Budget Allocation: INR 200 crore (USD 26.7 million)
- Focus: Identifying and nurturing young talent through school-level competitions, providing scholarships, and setting up sports academies across the country.
- Sports Science and Medicine
- Investment: INR 50 crore (USD 6.7 million)
- Focus: Establishing sports science and medicine centers to provide athletes with access to advanced healthcare, injury prevention, and rehabilitation services.
How much has the government spent on sports for the Olympics
- Archery: ₹39.18 crore
- Athletics: ₹96.08 crore
- Badminton: ₹72.03 crore
- Boxing: ₹60.93 crore
- Equestrian: ₹95.42 lakh
- Golf: ₹1.74 crore
- Hockey: ₹41.30 crore
- Judo: ₹6.33 crore
- Rowing: ₹3.89 crore
- Sailing: ₹3.78 crore
- Shooting: ₹60.42 crore
- Swimming: ₹3.90 crore
- Table Tennis: ₹12.92 crore
- Tennis: ₹1.67 crore
- Weightlifting: ₹27 crore
- Wrestling : ₹37.80 crore
Conclusion
The significant investment made by the Sports Ministry in India’s athletes and sports disciplines for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris highlights the nation’s dedication to attaining global excellence. India hopes to build on its past achievements and establish a significant position in the sports world by offering full support in the form of funding, training facilities, international exposure, and grassroots growth. With the strong support of the Sports Ministry, the country is looking forward to seeing its athletes battle with the best and win gold as the Paris Olympics get near.
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