NITI Aayog Highlights Massive Export Opportunity in Sports Equipment Sector, Calls for ₹7500 Crore Push

Report outlines roadmap to grow exports 30-fold to $8.1 billion and generate 54 lakh jobs by 2036

New Delhi: NITI Aayog has released a comprehensive report outlining a strategic roadmap to transform India into a major global exporter of sports equipment, highlighting the sector’s potential to drive export-led growth, MSME expansion and large-scale employment generation.

Titled “Realising the Export Potential of India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector”, the report was released on Thursday by vice chairman Suman Bery in the presence of member Arvind Virmani, CEO Nidhi Chhibber, and representatives from government and industry.

Global market offers strong growth opportunity

The report highlights the rapid expansion of the global sports goods market, which was valued at around $700 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2036.

Within this, the sports equipment segment alone accounts for $140 billion, expected to grow to $283 billion by 2036, while global exports stood at $52 billion in 2024.

This growth is being driven by rising global sports participation, expansion of professional leagues and increasing fitness awareness.

India’s limited share despite strong base

Despite having established strengths in segments such as cricket gear and ball sports, India’s global presence remains limited.

The country currently exports around $275 million worth of sports equipment annually, accounting for just 0.5% of global exports, indicating significant untapped potential.

Manufacturing is concentrated in clusters such as Jalandhar and Meerut, with nearly 90% of production driven by MSMEs, underscoring the sector’s importance for employment and local economies.

India’s domestic sports goods market is estimated at $2.5 billion, of which sports equipment contributes about $0.5 billion.

Structural challenges holding back exports

The report identifies several bottlenecks that constrain competitiveness.

Indian manufacturers face a 15–20% cost disadvantage compared to global competitors such as China and Pakistan.

Key issues include high import duties on raw materials like carbon fibre and EVA foam, high certification costs, logistics inefficiencies, limited access to advanced technologies and weak integration with global supply chains.

The sector also suffers from low global visibility and branding, limiting its ability to scale exports.

Policy roadmap to scale manufacturing

To address these challenges, the report proposes a coordinated policy push with investments of around ₹7,500 crore between 2027 and 2031.

Key recommendations include:

Rationalising duties on critical raw materials
Technology upgradation and financial support for MSMEs
Development of four new greenfield manufacturing clusters near ports
Modernisation of existing clusters in Meerut and Jalandhar
Creation of shared testing and certification infrastructure
Building a global “Brand India” identity for sports equipment

Export and job potential

If implemented effectively, the roadmap could significantly transform the sector.

The report estimates that India’s sports equipment exports could rise from $275 million in 2024 to $8.1 billion by 2036, increasing its global export share from 0.5% to around 11%.

This growth could generate nearly 54 lakh additional jobs, largely within MSME-led manufacturing clusters.

Leveraging global sporting events

The report also highlights the opportunity presented by upcoming global sporting events, including India’s proposed bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

These events could help Indian manufacturers integrate into global procurement networks and build long-term capabilities in sports equipment production.

Strategic importance for manufacturing growth

Officials said the sector aligns closely with national priorities such as Make in India and Viksit Bharat @2047, offering a pathway to diversify exports and strengthen India’s manufacturing base.

The report emphasises that coordinated policy action, technology adoption and global integration will be critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential and positioning India as a competitive player in the global sports equipment industry.

The full report is available on the NITI Aayog website.