New Delhi, 31 March (H.S.):

Secretary (Sports) in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hari Ranjan Rao, urged industry leaders to rapidly position India as the world's premier hub for sports goods manufacturing, export, and trade. He made these remarks while inaugurating the fourth edition of India Sporting Goods Fair (ISGF) 2026.

Rao described this as a golden era for India's sports goods sector, emphasizing the immense opportunity to scale up dramatically. He outlined the ambitious target of boosting sports goods exports from the current approximately ₹3,000 crore to ₹80,000 crore, calling for manufacturers to expand production capacity nearly 25-fold.

Advising the industry to prioritize innovation, investment, and international outreach, Rao highlighted the transformative potential of young entrepreneurs. He advocated hosting the world's largest sports goods exhibition with global participation to elevate India's stature.

Reaffirming government commitment, Rao noted a ₹500 crore budgetary allocation for the sector, with policy support readily available—but stressing that successful execution rests with industry. He emphasized forging joint ventures and international collaborations to accelerate growth.

Joint Secretary (Sports) Vinil Krishna echoed the ambition, indicating a dedicated scheme for sports goods manufacturing is imminent, backed by proactive state governments. He predicted the coming decade as transformative for the industry.

Organized by the Sports Goods and Toys Export Promotion Council, the fair runs from March 31 to April 2 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, featuring 75 exhibitors showcasing diverse sports equipment and products.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar