Khelo India Youth Games (Table Tennis)
Organised by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports / SAI · SAI
Age Group
Under-18
Typical Dates
January–February (varies by host state)
Format
Group stage + individual and team knockout events
Prize Pool
₹5 lakh/year scholarship for 8 years for medalists
About This Tournament
Table Tennis competition at the Government of India's prestigious Khelo India Youth Games, India's biggest multi-sport event for under-18 athletes. Medal-winning athletes receive annual scholarships of ₹5 lakh for 8 years.
Development Tournament: Designed to build competitive experience and feed players into the national ranking pipeline.
The Ranking Circuit
Khelo India Table Tennis is a government-run parallel pathway that complements the TTFI NRT-based circuit. A serious junior TT player should pursue both simultaneously. The Khelo India ladder: state sports authority selection trials → state squad → Khelo India Youth Games → Khelo India Scholarship (₹5 lakh/year × 8 years for medalists). Critically, Khelo India selects via State Sports Authority trials — not the TTFI STTA system — making it accessible to players who haven't yet built a TTFI national ranking. Medal winners are admitted into SAI's National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) for table tennis, where they train professionally and are introduced to the TTFI Senior NRT circuit. This dual pathway means talented junior players from underrepresented regions can access national coaching and financial support simultaneously.
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 + individual and team knockout events
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 medalists
Qualification Journey
The typical path a player follows to reach this tournament:
- 1
State sports authority trials
- 2
Khelo India U-18 TT squad
- 3
Khelo India Youth Games
- 4
Khelo India Scholarship
- 5
SAI NCOE training
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 state-level Khelo India selection trials (conducted by State Sports Authority)
- 2
Get selected into your state's Khelo India U-18 TT squad
- 3
Your state submits the squad with eligibility documents to SAI
- 4
Compete at the national multi-sport venue alongside athletes from all over India
- 5
Medal winners receive ₹5 lakh/year scholarship for 8 years
What Your Child Stands to Gain
Competing in Khelo India Youth Games (Table Tennis) creates measurable, lasting value — beyond the result on the day.
National ranking points
Results here feed directly into the national Table Tennis 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 Table Tennis 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 / SAI
Khelo India is a flagship Government of India program to identify and develop sporting talent. Administered by Sports Authority of India (SAI), it provides multi-year scholarships to medal-winning athletes.
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 / SAI) membership, obtained through your State Table Tennis 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 + individual and team knockout events. 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.