Khelo India Youth Games (Basketball)
Organised by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (via Sports Authority of India) · SAI
Age Group
Under-18
Typical Dates
January–February (varies by host state each year)
Format
Group stage + knockout
Prize Pool
₹5 lakh/year scholarship for 8 years for gold/silver/bronze medalists
About This Tournament
Basketball competition at the Government of India's Khelo India Youth Games — the country's biggest multi-sport event for under-18 athletes. Conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, it provides national exposure and financial support to top performers.
Development Tournament: Designed to build competitive experience and feed players into the national ranking pipeline.
The Ranking Circuit
Khelo India Basketball is a government-run parallel pathway alongside BFI's national championship circuit. The two are not mutually exclusive — a serious U-18 player should pursue both. The Khelo India ladder: state sports authority selection trials (open to all U-18 players) → state Khelo India basketball squad → Khelo India Youth Games national competition → Khelo India Scholarship (₹5 lakh/year × 8 years for medalists). Unlike BFI's SBA-based pathway, Khelo India selects through State Sports Authority trials — making it accessible to players from non-metropolitan areas who may not be connected to the BFI state association network. Medal winners are automatically admitted into SAI's National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) basketball programs, which provide professional coaching and a direct pathway into BFI's senior national circuit.
Age Categories & Eligibility
Under-18
Age eligibility is determined by the player's age as of the cutoff date in the official tournament circular. Confirm exact dates on the SAI website before registering.
Competition Format
Group stage + knockout
What this means for your child
Your child is guaranteed at least the group-stage matches regardless of results, giving them consistent competitive experience before the pressure of knockout rounds begins.
Cost & Awards
Prizes & Awards
₹5 lakh/year scholarship for 8 years for gold/silver/bronze medalists
Qualification Journey
The typical path a player follows to reach this tournament:
- 1
State sports authority trials
- 2
Khelo India U-18 state squad
- 3
Khelo India Youth Games
- 4
Khelo India Scholarship
- 5
SAI NCOE training program
This tournament
How to Enter — Step by Step
Follow these steps in order. Starting early gives your child a significant advantage — many entry slots fill quickly.
- 1
Participate in your state's Khelo India selection trials (conducted by State Sports Authority)
- 2
Get selected into your state's Khelo India U-18 basketball squad
- 3
Your state submits the squad to SAI with required eligibility documents
- 4
Travel to the host state and compete in the multi-sport event alongside athletes from all disciplines
- 5
Medal winners receive automatic consideration for the Khelo India Scholarship (₹5 lakh/year)
What Your Child Stands to Gain
Competing in Khelo India Youth Games (Basketball) creates measurable, lasting value — beyond the result on the day.
National ranking points
Results here feed directly into the national Basketball ranking system. A strong performance moves your child significantly up the rankings, making them eligible for higher-level invitation events.
Official competition record
Every result in this tournament goes on your child's official Basketball record, which selectors and federation coaches reference during team announcements.
Exposure to higher-level competition
Competing against athletes from across the country — or state — builds both technical skill and mental resilience faster than any training camp.
Scholarship eligibility
Players who medal at national development tournaments automatically qualify for government sports scholarships (SAI, Khelo India, and state schemes), which can be worth ₹5 lakh per year.
Organising Federation
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (via Sports Authority of India)
Khelo India is a flagship Government of India initiative to revive India's sports culture. Administered by SAI (Sports Authority of India), it covers 26+ disciplines and provides annual scholarships of ₹5 lakh to medal-winning athletes for 8 years.
Visit SAI Official WebsiteCommon Questions from Parents
Does my child need prior federation registration to participate?
Yes. Your child must hold a valid SAI (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (via Sports Authority of India)) membership, obtained through your State Basketball Association. Without this, your child cannot be listed in the official draw. PowerMySport can handle this registration for you as part of our concierge service.
What age group does my child qualify for?
This is an Under-18 event. Confirm your child's exact eligibility against the official age-cutoff date published in the tournament circular, available on the SAI website.
What is the typical duration of this tournament?
The format is: Group stage + knockout. Depending on your child's progression and the number of entries in their category, plan for 3–7 days of competition. Families should book accommodation and travel with flexibility for knockout advancement.
What if my child doesn't qualify through the standard route?
State associations are allocated a fixed number of spots. If your child narrowly misses selection, two options remain: (1) apply directly to SAI for a wildcard spot, which some editions offer to high-ranked players, or (2) focus on the next qualifying tournament in the cycle to build a stronger record. Our team at PowerMySport can advise on the specific appeals process.
Are there any costs beyond the entry fee?
Entry fees vary by federation and edition — typically ₹500–₹5,000 per player per event. Families are responsible for travel, accommodation, and meals unless otherwise stated in the tournament circular. Some state associations cover partial costs for selected state team players. Check the official tournament notice for the current edition's fee structure.