New Delhi: Widening the scope of its flagship 'Khelo India' program, the Government on Friday announced the setting up of a National Sports Education Board (NSEB) in the first Budget of its second term but did not change the interim allocations set aside for sports.
The allocations from the interim Budget presented by the then Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in February earlier this year were left untouched in the full budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman here.
"Khelo India Scheme, launched in October 2017, has created awareness for sports as an integral part of wellness throughout the country," she said in her budget speech.
"The government is committed to expand Khelo India scheme and provide all necessary financial support. To popularise sports at all levels, a National Sports Education Board for development of sportspersons will be set up under Khelo India Scheme."
The Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry had got a substantial raise of Rs 214.2 crore in the interim budget presented in February. The allocation was raised from last year's Rs 2002.72 to Rs 2216.92 crore.
The allocation to the Sports Authority of India was increased by Rs 55 crore to Rs 450 crore. The SAI is the nodal organisation to manage nationals camps, provide equipment and other logistics to the country's sportspersons.