Money intended to support Indian athletes and strengthen sports infrastructure across the country has allegedly been diverted to build and upgrade premium sports facilities in government residential colonies and institutions used largely by senior bureaucrats and civil servants, according to an investigation by The Indian Express.
The report raises serious questions over the use of the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), a central fund established to finance athlete training, sports infrastructure and elite support programmes such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
Crores Spent on Premium Sports Facilities in New Moti Bagh
At the centre of the controversy is New Moti Bagh, a high-security government housing colony in New Delhi where many senior IAS officers and top bureaucrats reside.
The colony now boasts a range of high-end amenities, including:
- Temperature-controlled swimming pool
- Squash court
- Tennis courts
- Badminton courts
- Modern gymnasium
- Billiards room
According to official records cited in the report, the colony first received Rs 2.8 crore under the Khelo India scheme in 2019 to develop sports infrastructure. In June 2024, an additional Rs 2.2 crore was approved from the NSDF for renovation and upgrades at the same complex.
The report noted that even previously developed tennis courts were upgraded again using fresh allocations from the sports development fund.
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Over Rs 6.2 Crore Allocated to Bureaucrat-Linked Institutions
The investigation found that between 2021 and 2025, more than Rs 6.2 crore from the NSDF was allocated to institutions linked to government officers, including:
- Civil Services Officers’ Institute (CSOI)
- Central Civil Services Cultural and Sports Board (CCSCSB)
- New Moti Bagh Residential Complex
These facilities are largely restricted-access spaces and are not freely available to the general public or most athletes.
What the NSDF Was Created For
The National Sports Development Fund was established to:
- Support talented athletes
- Finance coaching and training programmes
- Build sports infrastructure
- Fund international competition preparation
- Back elite schemes such as TOPS
The fund is governed by a 12-member council chaired by the Union Sports Minister, while grant proposals are approved by a six-member committee of senior officials under the Sports Ministry.
Parliamentary Standing Committee Flagged the Practice
The spending pattern had already drawn criticism from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports.
In a report tabled in the Lok Sabha in August 2025, the committee stated that it had been informed about grants being provided to residential colonies and civil services associations.
“The Committee recommends that this practice should be avoided.”
The observation underscored concerns that public sports funds should be directed primarily toward athletes and publicly accessible sporting infrastructure.
Contributions to the Fund Have Fallen Sharply
The controversy becomes more significant against the backdrop of declining contributions to the NSDF.
According to the report:
- Contributions stood at Rs 85.26 crore in 2023–24
- Contributions dropped to Rs 37.02 crore in 2025–26
The steep decline means fewer resources are available to support athletes, training and international preparation.
Restricted Access Raises Further Questions
The investigation highlighted that many of the facilities financed through the NSDF are not openly accessible.
At the Civil Services Officers’ Institute, entry is limited to members and authorized visitors carrying valid identity cards. At New Moti Bagh, access is reportedly subject to security screening at the colony gates.
Former officials in the Sports Ministry told the newspaper that using athlete-focused funds for such projects is difficult to justify when many sportspersons continue to face shortages of infrastructure and financial support.
One former official reportedly described the practice as “unethical.”
Sudhanshu Pandey Defends the Spending
Sudhanshu Pandey, president of the New Moti Bagh Residents’ Welfare Association, defended the expenditure, stating that all approvals were obtained through due process.
He said the project report was vetted by the Sports Authority of India and subsequently approved by the Sports Ministry.
Pandey argued that sports infrastructure forms part of the welfare facilities in government colonies and contributes to the physical and mental well-being of residents. He also said that children, families and some screened private citizens use the facilities.
NSDF Also Used for Overseas Cricket Gifts and Other Grants
The investigation further revealed that the Sports Authority of India spent over Rs 1 crore from the NSDF on cricket-related gift items for cricket boards in countries such as:
- Maldives
- Jamaica
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The report also stated that NSDF funds were allocated to two organizations linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
Bigger Debate on Priorities in Indian Sports
The revelations have triggered a broader debate about how public sports funds should be utilized.
Critics argue that when athletes still struggle for coaching, equipment and training support, every rupee of the National Sports Development Fund should be focused on improving competitive performance and expanding accessible sports infrastructure.
The findings are likely to intensify calls for greater transparency and stricter oversight in the allocation of funds meant to strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem.
