NITI Aayog has released a comprehensive report titled “Realising the Export Potential of India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector”, outlining strategies to position India as a strong global player in the sports goods industry.
The report was unveiled by Suman Bery in the presence of Arvind Virmani and Nidhi Chhibber, along with officials from the sports ministry and industry representatives.
Aligned with initiatives like Make in India and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the report highlights the sector’s potential to drive exports and generate large-scale employment, especially through MSMEs.
It notes that while India has strengths in segments like cricket equipment, its global export share remains just 0.5%, indicating significant room for growth. The global sports goods market, currently valued at around $700 billion, is expected to cross $1 trillion by 2036, offering major opportunities for Indian manufacturers.
However, challenges such as higher production costs, expensive raw materials, limited technology access, and weak global branding continue to affect competitiveness.
To address these, the report recommends steps like reducing duties on key raw materials, upgrading technology for MSMEs, developing new manufacturing clusters, and building a strong “Brand India” in sports equipment.
If implemented effectively, the roadmap could boost India’s sports equipment exports to $8.1 billion by 2036 and generate nearly 54 lakh jobs. The report also highlights upcoming global sporting events, including India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics, as a major opportunity to expand manufacturing and global market presence.
Overall, the report presents a clear strategy to transform India into a competitive hub for sports equipment manufacturing on the global stage.
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