India, Aug. 1 -- Calling it the most ambitious sports development programme since independence, the Union Cabinet on Friday approved an expanded Khelo India Scheme and enhanced the budget for Assistance to the National Sports Federations (ANSFs) with a combined outlay of Rs 36,441 crore covering the next five years.

The Government has allocated Rs 29,054 crore to the Khelo India Scheme that aims to build a pool of talented athletes at the grassroots level as India bids to become a global sporting hub by hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and bidding for the 2036 Olympics.

The assistance to NSFs has been pegged at Rs 7387 crore over the next five years. The existing budgetary allocation for the Assistance to National Sports Federations ...