Unique talent hunt event KIRTI, Inaugurated in Chandigarh

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, inaugurated a unique talent hunt event called KIRTI in Chandigarh. 

Olympic and World Javelin Throw Champion, Neeraj Chopra has praised the initiative of the Union Sports Ministry in launching the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme. Chopra believes that this program can potentially create the right balance between sports and studies.

Aim of KIRTI

• KIRTI is a nationwide programme under the Khelo India mission that aims to identify talented athletes between the ages of nine to 18 years, who are currently in school. 
• The programme will conduct 20 lakh assessments across the country throughout the year to identify talent through notified Talent Assessment Centres. 
• This scouting and training programme is the first of its kind in India and comes at a time when the country wants to reach 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.
• 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.

Tools of KIRTI

• 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, namely, archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.

About Khelo India

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. 

By leveraging the far-reaching influence of sports, this initiative empowers individuals to harness its potential. 

A key component of the “Sports Competitions and Talent Development” vertical is the “Talent Identification and Development” program, which focuses on identifying and nurturing athletes at both grassroots and elite levels. 

Through this approach, the Khelo India Scheme is working tirelessly to foster a thriving sports ecosystem in the nation.