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Ministry of Finance | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports | Sports Authority of India (SAI)
During the Union Budget 2026-27 presentation on February 1, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a dedicated initiative for the sports goods sector. Aligned with the budget’s first “Kartavya” (duty) to accelerate economic growth through productivity, the initiative aims to transform India into a global hub for high-quality, affordable sports equipment. The primary focus will be on promoting manufacturing, research, and innovation in both equipment design and material sciences.
Launching the Khelo India Mission Building on the success of existing talent-nurturing programs, the budget proposes the launch of the Khelo India Mission to systematically transform the sports sector over the next decade. This mission aligns with the second Kartavya—fulfilling the aspirations of citizens and building their capacity. Key components of the mission include:
Talent Development: Creating an integrated pathway supported by foundational, intermediate, and elite-level training centers.
Systemic Support: Focus on developing professional coaches, support staff, and integrating sports science and technology.
Infrastructure and Culture: Developing specialized training infrastructure and promoting a sports culture through national-level competitions and leagues.
Economic and Social Integration The sports sector is recognized not only as a means of national prestige but as a significant engine for employment, skilling, and job opportunities. By integrating material sciences into equipment manufacturing, the government seeks to move up the value chain from basic assembly to high-tech sports engineering.
What is the “material sciences” focus in the new sports goods initiative? The focus on material sciences in the sports goods initiative involves researching and developing advanced materials—such as high-strength composites, carbon fibers, and specialized polymers—to create lighter, more durable, and performance-enhancing sports equipment. This move aims to help Indian manufacturers compete with global brands in professional-grade equipment, moving beyond the production of basic, low-cost sports gear.
Policy Relevance
The sports goods initiative represents a strategic pivot toward niche industrial specialization.
Global Hub Aspirations: By targeting high-quality yet affordable goods, India is positioning itself to capture the global mid-range sports market currently dominated by other Southeast Asian manufacturing hubs.
Institutionalizing Talent: The shift from a “program” to a “Mission” (Khelo India Mission) signals that sports development is now a permanent pillar of India’s national human capital strategy.
R&D as a Force Multiplier: Investing in equipment design and sports science ensures that Indian athletes have access to indigenous, state-of-the-art technology, reducing dependence on expensive imported gear.
Diversifying MSME Output: The initiative provides a roadmap for traditional manufacturing clusters (like those in Jalandhar and Meerut) to modernize through better design-led innovation and access to new-age materials.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports ensure that the “integrated talent pathway” under the Khelo India Mission provides small-town athletes with the same access to “Sports Science Centers” as those in metropolitan areas?
Follow the full news here: UNION BUDGET 2026-27 PROPOSES DEDICATED INITIATIVE FOR SPORTS GOODS TO PROMOTE MANUFACTURING, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION