Leaping towards Glory

”Kerala is the only state in India where there has not been a single communal conflict in the last 10 years. Minorities in Kerala have made progress educationally and socially. The government is implementing various schemes and programs for the upliftment of religious minorities. Also, this government was able to lead the sports sector towards a new direction of development. In 2023, a comprehensive sports policy was introduced. Fundamental changes were made in the sports law. Rs. 350 crore was allocated for the sports sector in the 2026-27 budget. This is an all-time record.”

V. Abdurahiman
Minister for Sports, Wakf and Haj Pilgrimage, Minority welfare

Infrastructure development in Sports

Kerala has invested a record Rs 5000-crore for the infrastructural development of the sports sector, which is an unprecedented step. Stadiums and playing fields have been prepared in 100 schools. Under the unique project of One Panchayat, One Playground, 100 playgrounds are being completed. The first district sports complex was built in Thrissur in the name of I.M. Vijayan. For the first time in the country, local body level sports councils have been formed.

Let’s play

Kerala became the first state in the country to include sports in the curriculum for classes 1 to 10. This was done in collaboration with the Department of General Education, A special syllabus for sports schools will be implemented from the next academic year. Goal project to provide football training to 5 lakh children in 5 years has been launched. In the first phase, 1 lakh children were trained in 1000 centres. One centre each was started in 140 constituencies to provide advanced training.

New Life for Sports Schools

The Sports Department took over the sports schools GV Raja and Kannur Sports Division from the Education Department. Development activities worth Rs. 35 crore were implemented in GV Raja Sports School and Rs. 10 crore in Kannur. Construction of new hostels is in progress in GV Raja and Kannur Sports Schools. Admission to sports schools has been started from class 6. Earlier it was class 8. New Sports Division started in Kunnamkulam, Thrissur. A football court, an 8-lane synthetic track, a training ground and a cricket pitch have been prepared.The construction of modern hostel and mess facilities is in progress at a cost of Rs. 4.5 crore. Kanjirapally Kunnumbhagam Govt. High School has been converted into a sports school.

Sports Economy

In a first in the country, special focus is being given for the development of sports economy. As part of this, football and cricket leagues have been started with the support of the government. The first college sports league has been started in the country. Sports training projects are being implemented in collaboration with countries such as Cuba, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia and Spain. The first international sports summit has been organised in the country. Agreements for investment of Rs. 5050 crore was reached at the summit.

Hi-Tech Facilities

The e-certificate system has been implemented to prevent fake certificates in the sports field. Following this, the Central Government has introduced a sports e-certificate. Sports school selection is now conducted using scientific methods including biomechanics. An agreement has been reached with the Higher Education Department to start a Sports Institute at Calicut University. The Rajiv Gandhi Sports Medicine Centre at the Jimmy George Indoor Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram has been expanded by providing more equipments.

Competitions, a Huge Success

Prestigious competitions like FIFA Under-17 World Cup Football, Kerala Marathon, Beach Games, National Senior Women’s Football Championship, Santhosh Trophy Final Round Competitions, Federation Cup National Athletics Championship, two India Grand Prix Athletics Championships, National Jumps Championship and National Shooting Championship were held in Kerala. CM Gold Cup Football Championship was organised with the participation of the best Under-17 teams. Asian Mountain Biking Championship, which was hosted by India for the first time, was held in Ponmudi with the participation of about twenty countries. As part of sports cooperation with Cuba, an international chess tournament was organised in the name of Che Guevara.

Infrastructure Development

• Infrastructure development worth Rs 5000-crore

• 4 District stadiums completed. Construction in progress in 6 districts

• 26 sports complexes at municipal and gram panchayat levels

• About 300 playgrounds prepared across the state

• 2 synthetic tracks in 2016. 24 in 2025

Focus on Social Health

• 25 high-tech fitness centres in various districts. 5 under construction

• Open gyms at 30 major centres in the state

• Dheeram scheme for karate training for Kudumbashree members

• Women’s football academies in Ernakulam and Kannur

• Healthy Kids scheme for school children

• Secure Future for Sports Persons

• All-time record in sports quota appointments. Appointments for 961 sportspersons.

• Prize money for international and national medal winners

• Disabled sportsperson pension increased to Rs. 2000. Income limit for pension eligibility increased to Rs. 1 lakh.

• Circus pension for 50 more people

Excellence on Field

• Sports economy development started for the first time in the country

• First sports summit organised in the country

• First local body level sports council formed in the country

• First college sports league launched in the country

Differently Abled Friendly

• Construction of the state’s first differently abled friendly stadium started at Ottapalam at a cost of Rs. 10-crore

• Para-athlete Sports Association recognised by the Sports Council

• Para-athletes who win international medals were awarded for the first time

Minority Welfare

The Minority Welfare Directorate, formed as per the recommendations of the Paloli Committee, Madrasa Teachers’ Welfare Fund, Free Competitive Examination Training Centre, Minority Commission and Minority Finance Corporation, which were formed as part of the Sachar Committee recommendations, are models for other states. The Justice J.B. Koshy Commission Report, formed by the first Pinarayi Vijayan government to study the educational and economic backwardness and welfare of Christian minorities in the state, has been fully implemented in 17 departments. The implementation of the recommendations in 19 departments is in progress.

Thrust on Education

• 24 free training centres have been sanctioned for minority youth and 28 sub-centres have been started.

• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship for minority polytechnic students, Mother Teresa Scholarship for nursing diploma and paramedical students have been started.

• Marga Deepam Scholarship has been started for students studying from class 1 to 8 in 2024-25. Rs. 40 crore has been distributed to 1.5 lakh students so far.

• Under Joseph Mundassery Scholarship for SSLC, THSLC, Plus Two/VHSE students, Rs. 5.24 crore allocated for 4815 students.

• 89,403 girl students of undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses granted Rs. 65 crore under EO Muhammad Koya Scholarship (2016-25)

• Rs. 6.55 crore scholarships given to 8227 minority students studying for CA, CMA and CS courses.

• Financial assistance granted to minority students for training for U G C, C S I R- J R F, N T S C, P G in G S T examinations.

• Scholarship scheme started to provide interest subsidy of up to Rs. 5 lakh for studying abroad.

• A fee reimbursement scheme implemented for those studying in private ITIs and ITCs.

• Fee reimbursement assistance provided to those preparing for Civil Services Examination.

• Chief Minister’s Research Fellowship for Minorities started for minority research students.

Hajj Pilgrimage

• In the last two years, Rs. 1 crore separately allocated in the budget for Hajj pilgrimage.

• A women’s block with an area of 32,000 square meters constructed near the Hajj House in Kozhikode

• Land allocated for the construction of a Hajj House near Kannur Airport

Kerala State Minority Development Finance Corporation

• More than fifteen loan schemes implemented for minorities

• The government guarantee of the corporation increased from Rs. 50 crore to Rs. 150 crore