Jaipur, February 19, 2026: Rajyavardhan Rathore, Rajasthan’s Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, on Thursday said the state government is firmly committed to the holistic development of youth under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, focusing on employment, self-employment, and nurturing sports talent at national and international levels.
Replying to the debate on Grant Demand No. 26 for the Youth Affairs and Sports Department in the Rajasthan Assembly, the minister announced that the House passed grants worth ₹2.29 billion (₹229.85 crore) by voice vote.
₹40 Crore Assistance in Two Years, Target ₹100 Crore
Rathore highlighted a comparison with the previous government, stating that while the earlier regime provided ₹72 crore in assistance to athletes over five years, the current government has already extended ₹40 crore within just two years. He added that the state aims to increase this support to ₹100 crore.
Faster ‘Out-of-Turn’ Appointments for Athletes
The minister said the government has accelerated out-of-turn job appointments for sportspersons. The previous government appointed 248 athletes in five years, whereas the present administration has already provided 186 appointments in two years, with the number expected to cross 300 by June 2026.
He also noted a sharp rise in sports infrastructure spending. While the previous government purchased sports equipment worth only about ₹6.5 crore in five years, the current government has procured equipment worth nearly ₹19 crore in two years, enabling athletes to train more effectively.
Maharana Pratap & Guru Vashishtha Awards Soon
Rathore announced that the prestigious Maharana Pratap and Guru Vashishtha awards will soon be conferred on athletes and coaches who have brought laurels at national and international levels. He said the previous government did not present these awards even once during its tenure.
He further noted that Rajasthan successfully hosted the Khelo India University Games 2025 with an expenditure of ₹100 crore, where over 7,000 athletes participated and Rajasthan won 34 medals.
