Sports Ministry To File FIR After 16-Year-Old Exposes Fake Youth Khelo India Federation

Last Updated:March 19, 2026, 14:41 IST

A 16-year-old Taekwondo player exposed a fraud by the 'Youth Khelo India Federation' claiming government ties.

A 16-year-old taekwondo player has uncovered what officials describe as an “elaborate fraud" targeting thousands of young athletes, prompting India’s Sports Ministry to prepare legal action against an organisation falsely claiming government links.

The teenager, who has asked to remain anonymous, contacted the ministry to verify whether the Youth Khelo India Federation (YKIF) was officially recognised, as stated on its website. She had already paid Rs 7,000 to compete in a purported national tournament in Udaipur in November.

Her concerns grew when she was later asked to pay a further $825 (around Rs 77,000) to take part in an international event in Thailand scheduled for April.

Speaking to news agency PTI, the Class 12 student said she had only recently begun training in taekwondo when a coach informed her about the Udaipur competition.

“I participated and won my event. At the time, nothing seemed unusual," she said.

The multi-sport event, held from 1 to 3 November, featured disciplines including taekwondo, badminton, boxing, kickboxing and wushu.

Winners were subsequently told they could qualify for an international tournament, provided they completed documentation and paid the additional fee by 1 April.

However, doubts began to surface when the student reviewed the promotional material. She noted that the event mascot closely resembled that of the Khelo India Winter Games, and that the brochure lacked basic details such as the number of participating athletes.

“The design looked quite cheap and included bank details asking for money. I decided to do a basic online search, but couldn’t find clarity, so I emailed the Sports Ministry," she said.

The ministry responded swiftly, issuing a fact-check through the Press Information Bureau stating that the organisation was “neither recognised nor affiliated" with it. Officials have since indicated that a First Information Report (FIR) will be filed.

A ministry source said authorities were “stunned" by the federation’s website, which displayed logos of the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India, and claimed links to the Indian Olympic Association.

The YKIF says it has more than 22,000 registered athletes across over 200 districts and lists its headquarters in Delhi. Attempts to reach its head were unsuccessful, though other officials defended its activities.

State coordinator Lavish Soni told PTI the organisation had government affiliation, while national coordinator Deepak Attri acknowledged it lacked official sanction to conduct recognised competitions.

“We organise prize-money tournaments for young athletes," he said, adding that the Thailand event brochure may have been a misuse of the organisation’s name.

The Sports Ministry has rejected any suggestion of association.

“It is untrue. The ministry will not engage with them. Legal action will follow, beginning with an FIR," a source said.

Under government rules, only recognised National Sports Federations are permitted to use official logos.

Despite the experience, the teenager said she remains committed to the sport.

“I didn’t lose much financially, so I will continue. I love martial arts," she said.

With PTI Inputs

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