Sports Infrastructure Development and Youth Sporting Success: Cross-State Variations in India

This study investigates the relationship between the sports infrastructure investment made by the Khelo India program and youth sporting success across Indian states using data from the Khelo India Youth Games of 2022, 2023, and 2025. The study employs a quantitative research design using secondary data to analyse the amount of funds invested in sports infrastructure by Khelo India in each of the 28 Indian states and 8 union territories, and their medal performance. Other variables considered include the number of participants by state, the medal conversion rates, and the distance of the states from the host city, allowing for a clearer picture of the factors affecting sporting outcomes. The findings reveal a positive but moderate relationship between infrastructure funding and sporting medal performance, with funding accounting for 12.5% of the medal performance outcome. Considering the efficiency of infrastructure investments in each state, it becomes evident that some states produce remarkable results with minimal investment, while others receive significant investments yet produce poor results. Therefore, despite the importance of infrastructure investments in determining the success of youth sports, other factors, such as the quality of coaches, the sporting culture that exists in these areas, and the support given to sports by governments and institutions, are equally important. To achieve these goals, the Khelo India programme must also invest in the development of human resources within the country.