Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur will inaugurate a unique talent hunt event, KIRTI in Chandigarh on Tuesday. The Khelo India Rising Talent Identification, KIRTI programme is aimed at athletes in the age group between nine to 18 years. It is an ambitious nationwide programme under the Khelo India mission that attempts to identify talent from every nook and corner of the country by using IT tools and providing a common platform to showcase talent.

The Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry said the fundamental objective of KIRTI is to create a pyramidal structure starting from the grassroots level and culminating in the development of elite athletes. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme, TOPS, sits right at the top of the pyramid.