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India Aims for 25x Sports Goods Export Boom, Targets Rs 80,000 Crore Hub

India has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform into a global sports goods manufacturing hub, targeting a massive increase in exports from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore. Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao urged manufacturers at the India Sporting Goods Fair to dream big and scale their operations nearly 25 times to achieve this goal. The government has allocated Rs 500 crore in the Union Budget and plans to soon launch a dedicated sports goods manufacturing scheme to support the sector's expansion. The initiative emphasizes innovation, global partnerships, and leveraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to drive this transformational growth.

Key Points: India Targets Rs 80,000 Crore Sports Goods Exports, Global Hub

  • Scale exports from Rs 3,000cr to Rs 80,000cr
  • Host world's largest sports goods exhibition
  • Rs 500cr budget allocation for sector
  • New manufacturing scheme launch soon
3 min read

India Sporting Goods Fair opens; Sports Secretary calls efforts to position India as global hub of sports goods manufacturing

Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao urges manufacturers to scale 25x, as India launches scheme to become global sports goods manufacturing hub.

"If you do not dream big, you will not be able to achieve it. - Hari Ranjan Rao"

New Delhi, March 31

India aims to scale sports goods exports from approximately Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore and manufacturers should dream big and adopt a forward-looking approach driven by innovation, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao has said.

He was addressing exhibitors, international buyers and stakeholders at the 4th edition of the India Sporting Goods Fair (ISGF) 2026, which opened here with a strong focus on transforming India into a global hub for sports goods manufacturing, exports and trade.

"This is a golden period in the growth trajectory of India's sports goods industry," he said.

"If we have to move from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore, every manufacturer will have to multiply their scale nearly 25 times. If you do not dream big, you will not be able to achieve it," he added.

According to a release, manufacturers were urged to scale aggressively, expand globally and adopt a forward-looking approach driven by innovation and investment, with special emphasis on the role of youth and next-generation entrepreneurs in leading this expansion.

"Let us aim to host the world's largest sports goods exhibition in India with participation from exhibitors across the globe," Rao said.

Reaffirming the Government's commitment, Rao noted that Rs 500 crore has already been allocated in the Union Budget for the sector.

"We would also like to see many more new manufacturers entering the sports manufacturing sector. The industry should actively explore joint ventures and international collaborations, and the Ministry will be happy to support such partnerships," he said.

Joint Secretary (Sports), Vineel Krishna said the government is very ambitious about expanding the sports goods manufacturing sector, not only to meet domestic demand but also to enhance India's global export potential."

"We are hopeful that in the next couple of months we will be able to launch the sports goods manufacturing scheme after necessary approvals," he said.

He also highlighted increasing interest shown by state governments in promoting the expansion of sports goods manufacturing in the country.

"The next decade is going to be transformational for the sports sector, and all of you will be part of this growth story," he added.

ISGF, organised by the Sports Goods and Toys Export Promotion Council, is being held from March 31 to April 2, 2026 in Yashobhoomi, Dwarka.

The 4th edition of ISGF features 75 exhibitors showcasing a diverse range of products including athletic goods, badminton and tennis equipment, boxing gear, cricket equipment, fitness equipment, sports apparel, indoor sports equipment and toys.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Scaling from 3000 to 80,000 crore is a massive leap. Hope the focus on innovation is real and not just buzzwords. We need cutting-edge R&D, not just scaling up existing production. Quality and design will be key to competing with established global players.
R
Rohit P
As a fitness enthusiast, I'd love to see more high-quality, affordable Indian brands for gym equipment and sportswear. Right now, most good stuff is imported and expensive. If the government supports startups in this space, it could be a game-changer for local consumers too.
S
Sarah B
The emphasis on youth and next-gen entrepreneurs is spot on. India's demographic dividend can power this industry if we provide the right skills and access to capital. Hope the scheme launches soon and is easy for young founders to navigate.
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Vikram M
Good to see the budget allocation. But Rs 500 crore for such a huge ambition? The scale of investment needed from the private sector will be enormous. The government's role should be to create a stable, long-term policy environment and ease of doing business. The targets are exciting, though!
K
Kavya N
Hosting the world's largest sports goods fair in India would be incredible! It would put us on the map and bring in so much knowledge and business. Yashobhoomi is a great venue for it. Let's hope the execution matches the vision. 🤞

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