Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced a transformative sports goods manufacturing policy set to launch by November-December 2025, aiming to position India as a leading global exporter while nurturing homegrown talent. Speaking at the National Conclave on Sports Goods Manufacturing, Mandaviya highlighted the policy’s goal to reduce reliance on costly imported equipment, enabling athletes to compete at the highest levels with domestically produced gear.
The policy, a key pillar of the Khelo Bharat Niti 2,025, integrates sports medicine, infrastructure, literature, and education into a holistic manufacturing ecosystem. “India has the capability to achieve everything,” Mandaviya said, emphasizing the potential to create top-class facilities and boost exports. He acknowledged challenges like GST but proposed a task force to address them, with policy framing to be completed by September through consultations with NITI Aayog, manufacturers, and stakeholders.
The initiative aligns with the National Sports Governance Bill 2025, which prioritizes athlete-centric governance and federation accountability. Mandaviya noted that the policy will empower the sports ecosystem, addressing disputes and fostering innovation. The conclave, part of broader sports reforms, saw 40 corporate houses, including Dalmia Cement, express interest in supporting district-level sports schools.
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India’s sports goods market, valued at $6.3 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $8.5 billion by 2030, driven by demand for cricket, badminton, and football equipment. The policy aims to capitalize on this, targeting self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat and reducing import costs, which hit $1.2 billion in 2024. It also promotes startups and public-private partnerships, building on the success of Khelo India and Fit India.
Mandaviya’s vision supports India’s ambition to be a top-five sporting nation by 2047, with plans to bid for the 2036 Olympics. The policy includes incentives for sustainable practices, like carbon savings via the Fit India App, and aims to revive indigenous sports, enhancing India’s global sporting footprint.
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