NITI Aayog Report on Boosting Sports Equipment Exports

On 19th March 2026, NITI Aayog released a report titled “Realising the Export Potential of India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector”, outlining strategies to boost exports, strengthen MSMEs, and position India as a global manufacturing hub.

Key Points

Global Market Opportunity: The global sports goods market is valued at ~$700 billion (2024) and expected to cross $1 trillion by 2036; sports equipment alone may reach ~$283 billion.
India’s Current Position: India exports ~$275 million worth of sports equipment (~0.5% global share), with major clusters in Jalandhar and Meerut driven largely by MSMEs.
MSME Dominance: Around 90% of production comes from small and micro enterprises, highlighting strong employment generation potential.
Key Challenges: High raw material costs, expensive certifications, logistics inefficiencies, limited technology access, and weak global branding create a 15-20% cost disadvantage.
Policy Recommendations:
- Rationalise duties on raw materials
- Develop new manufacturing clusters (especially near ports)
- Upgrade technology for MSMEs
- Create common testing & certification facilities
- Build a global “Brand India” for sports equipment
Investment Roadmap: ₹7,500 crore investment proposed (2027-2031) to enhance manufacturing capacity and export competitiveness.
Export & Job Potential: Exports could grow to ~$8.1 billion by 2036 (11% global share), generating ~54 lakh jobs.
Strategic Opportunity: Upcoming global sporting events, including India’s proposed 2036 Olympics bid, can help integrate Indian manufacturers into global supply chains.