Published:
Assam is introducing Sishu Krida Samaroh as an under-12 grassroots sports initiative under Khel Maharan 3.0, with 120 selected young athletes set to receive scholarship support of ₹2,000 per month for two years. The support works out to ₹24,000 a year and ₹48,000 over the full two-year period, helping selected children meet training and development needs as the state looks to identify sporting talent earlier.
The initiative was approved by the Assam Cabinet in September 2026 and is planned to cover all 35 districts during the 2026–27 financial year. The Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare has promoted registration for Khel Maharan 3.0, while the programme is expected to begin in November.
Sishu Krida Samaroh gives children below 12 a distinct place within Assam’s wider grassroots sports programme. The stated focus is mass participation, early identification of promising athletes and structured development, rather than treating the event only as a one-off competition.
According to reports on the Cabinet decision, 120 selected under-12 athletes will receive ₹2,000 per month for two years. That means the announced support is worth ₹24,000 annually for each selected athlete, or ₹48,000 across two years if the full schedule of payments is delivered. The financial assistance is intended to help young athletes with training and development.
The scholarship is for selected players identified through the initiative, not an automatic payment to every child who registers. Families and participants should check the official registration portal and state sports department announcements for eligibility conditions, selection details and any documents required before applying.
The under-12 initiative is part of the third edition of Khel Maharan, Assam’s statewide sports participation programme. The Cabinet approved the new format with separate provision for children below 12 and a main Khel Maharan competition for older participants. The approach is designed to create more opportunities for young people to compete locally and progress through the sports system.
The wider programme is planned across all 35 districts of Assam during the 2026–27 financial year. This statewide reach is significant because talent identification depends on access to competition beyond major urban centres. A district-wide structure can give local organisers and coaches a way to spot athletes who may otherwise have limited access to formal pathways.
The programme’s stated disciplines include athletics, yogasana, chess, boxing, aquathlon, football, volleyball and swimming. The mix covers individual and team sports, physical and technical events, and activities that may appeal to children with different interests and abilities. The final competition arrangements and local schedules should be checked through official notices as registration and event planning progress.
Early training can involve recurring costs, including coaching, travel, equipment and participation in organised events. A monthly scholarship can help families manage some of those expenses and make it easier for selected children to maintain a training routine. The amount alone does not guarantee long-term success, but predictable support can reduce one practical barrier for promising young athletes.
For the programme to deliver on its promise, selection and support will need to be communicated clearly to families across the state. Transparent criteria, appropriate coaching and continued opportunities to compete are important parts of turning early promise into sustained development. The announced scholarship is one element of that wider pathway.
Grassroots initiatives can also help sports administrators understand where talent is emerging and where facilities or coaching resources are needed. If Sishu Krida Samaroh reaches children across districts and links them with suitable development opportunities, it could become an entry point for young athletes who are only beginning to explore organised sport.
The Department of Sports and Youth Welfare has directed interested participants to the Khel Maharan registration portal at https://khelmaharan.com/khel. Parents and guardians should use the official portal for current registration information and check announcements from the department for the specific arrangements applying to under-12 participation.
The key distinction is that registration creates an opportunity to take part, while scholarship support is intended for selected athletes. The state’s announcement identifies 120 recipients, but detailed selection rules and individual award decisions should be confirmed through official programme communications rather than assumed from registration alone.
With Khel Maharan 3.0 approaching, Sishu Krida Samaroh puts early talent identification at the centre of Assam’s grassroots sports plans. The next test will be how effectively the initiative reaches children in all districts, identifies promising performers and connects selected athletes with the training and facilities they need to progress.
