Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Programme Launched

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, has inaugurated a unique talent hunt event called KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) in Chandigarh. This nationwide programme, under the Khelo India mission, aims to identify talented athletes between the ages of 9 and 18 years, currently enrolled in schools across the country.

Neeraj Chopra’s Endorsement

Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic and World Javelin Throw Champion, has praised the initiative of the Union Sports Ministry in launching the KIRTI programme. He believes that this programme can potentially create the right balance between sports and studies.

Objectives of KIRTI

Nationwide Talent Identification:

• KIRTI will conduct 20 lakh assessments across the country throughout the year to identify talent through notified Talent Assessment Centres.

Grassroots Talent Cultivation:

• • • This scouting and training programme is the first of its kind in India, aimed at reaching the next level in global sports.
    • KIRTI will use IT tools to identify talent from every corner of the country and provide a common platform to showcase their abilities.

Hierarchical Structure for Excellence:

• KIRTI’s fundamental aim is to establish a hierarchical structure that begins at the grassroots level and leads to the cultivation of top-tier athletes capable of achieving excellence on the global stage.
• At the pinnacle of this structure lies the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, divided into two levels – core and developmental.

Scientific Approach

KIRTI plans to use scientific tools to identify talented athletes by collaborating with physical education teachers and experts. The program will focus on ten sports disciplines currently part of the Khelo India initiative, including archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.

Khelo India Mission

The Khelo India Scheme is an essential program led by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, conceived by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Khelo India Mission seeks to cultivate a sporting culture and advance athletic excellence throughout the country.

Through the “Talent Identification and Development” program, the Khelo India Scheme is working tirelessly to foster a thriving sports ecosystem in the nation, empowering individuals to harness the potential of sports.

The launch of the KIRTI programme marks a significant step towards identifying and nurturing talented athletes from the grassroots level, paving the way for India to shine on the global sports stage.