Govt Aims to Make India Global Hub for Sports Goods Manufacturing

• India to launch a sports goods manufacturing policy by year-end
• Task force with NSFs and industry to reduce reliance on imports
• Policy to also cover sports medicine, infrastructure, and education

India is set to introduce a dedicated sports goods manufacturing policy by the end of this year, aimed at both nurturing sporting talent and positioning the country as a leading global exporter of sports equipment, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced recently.

Currently, athletes in many disciplines depend on expensive imported gear to compete internationally, creating a need for strong domestic alternatives.

To address this, a task force will be established in collaboration with National Sports Federations (NSFs) and industry stakeholders to frame a forward-looking policy.

The Union Sports Minister stated, "By November-December, a scheme will be launched so that the country can become the best sports goods manufacturer, one that provides top-class facilities, empowers the entire ecosystem and (helps India) emerge as a prominent exporter of sports goods globally".

Mandaviya emphasized that India has the capability to achieve excellence across the sports ecosystem and outlined a vision that extends beyond equipment manufacturing. The policy will also cover areas such as sports medicine, infrastructure, literature, and education design, integrating them into a comprehensive framework.

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He said, "We can also make sports medicines, sports infrastructure, sports literature, and sports education design a part of sports goods manufacturing. There are lots of challenges like GST... we must make a task force and have schemes and policies for sports manufacturing".

He added that the ministry would actively engage stakeholders to strengthen the sector, boost production, and expand exports.

He noted, "Sports goods manufacturing sector is the priority for the government. The first pillar of the National Sports Governance Bill was athlete-centric governance. It also addressed the disputes of the federations. This is an important conclave, a part of the reforms in the sports sector which focuses on how we can intervene in sports goods manufacturing".

"Policies will be made through discussions with all stakeholders, including NITI Aayog and the manufacturers. The work of policy framing will be completed by September," he added.