New Delhi.; NITI Aayog today released a report titled “Realising the Export Potential of India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector”, presenting a comprehensive assessment of India’s manufacturing capabilities, global market opportunities, and the policy interventions required to position the country as a competitive player in the global sports equipment industry.
The report was released by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog in the presence of Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog; Smt. Nidhi Chhibber, CEO, NITI Aayog; senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; State Governments, and representatives from industry and the sports manufacturing ecosystem.
Aligned with India’s objective of strengthening domestic manufacturing under the Make in India initiative and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the report provides an evidence-based framework to unlock the export potential of India’s sports equipment sector. The sector presents a significant opportunity for export-led manufacturing growth and large-scale employment generation, particularly through MSME-led clusters.
Speaking at the release, Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog highlighted that India’s ambition to emerge as a global manufacturing hub is closely linked to its ability to compete in international markets. He emphasised that the sports equipment sector offers a compelling opportunity in this regard, driven by rising global demand and a decade of major sporting events. He underscored the importance of strengthening quality standards, innovation, and global linkages, noting that targeted policy support, cluster development, and technology adoption will be critical to enhancing India’s export competitiveness.
Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog noted that while India has established strengths in select categories such as cricket equipment and ball sports, its overall global export share remains limited at around 0.5%, indicating significant headroom for diversification and scale. He emphasised the need for rationalising duties on key raw materials, strengthening domestic supply capabilities, and developing common facility centres to support technology transfer and quality improvement. He highlighted that coordinated policy action will be essential to build a robust, globally integrated manufacturing ecosystem and to leverage opportunities arising from upcoming global sporting events.
Smt. Nidhi Chhibber, CEO, NITI Aayog emphasised that the sports equipment sector is an important—yet often under-recognised—component of India’s manufacturing ecosystem. She highlighted its strong alignment with India’s priorities of employment generation, MSME growth, and export expansion. She noted that improving cost competitiveness, technology adoption, and market access will be key to unlocking the sector’s full potential, supported by ongoing initiatives such as Make in India and targeted support for MSMEs.
I. Global Market Opportunity
The global sports goods market, encompassing sports apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories, was valued at approximately $700 billion in 2024 and is projected to cross $1 trillion by 2036. Within this ecosystem, the sports equipment segment alone accounts for approximately $140 billion, with global demand expected to reach around $283 billion by 2036. Global exports of sports equipment were valued at approximately $52 billion in 2024, reflecting steady growth driven by increasing sports participation, expansion of professional sporting leagues, and rising fitness awareness worldwide.
II. India’s Position in Sports Equipment Manufacturing
India’s sports equipment manufacturing ecosystem remains relatively small in global terms but possesses strong foundational capabilities. The country currently exports approximately $275 million worth of sports equipment annually, representing around 0.5% of the global export market. Manufacturing activity is concentrated in established clusters such as Jalandhar (Punjab) and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), supported by a network of exporters, domestic manufacturing units, and thousands of micro enterprises.
The sector is overwhelmingly MSME-driven, with nearly 90% of production undertaken by small and micro enterprises, highlighting its importance for employment generation and local economic development. India’s domestic sports goods market is estimated at approximately $2.5 billion, with sports equipment accounting for nearly $0.5 billion, indicating substantial scope for expansion in both domestic production and exports.
III. Key Challenges Affecting Export Competitiveness
The report identifies several structural challenges that constrain the sector’s ability to scale exports and compete globally. Indian manufacturers face an estimated 15–20% cost disadvantage relative to major competitors such as China and Pakistan. This is driven by factors including:
- High customs duties on critical raw materials such as carbon fibre, EVA foam, and polyurethane materials
- High certification costs required to meet international sporting standards
- Logistics inefficiencies and higher input costs
- Limited access to advanced manufacturing technologies
- Weak linkages with global sports brands and procurement ecosystems
- Limited global visibility and branding of Indian sports equipment
Addressing these constraints will be essential to strengthen India’s participation in global sports equipment value chains.
IV. Strategic Roadmap and Policy Recommendations
The report proposes a comprehensive roadmap to position India as a competitive global supplier of sports equipment by 2036.
Key recommendations include:
- Rationalisation of duties on critical raw materials
- Technology upgradation and capital support for MSMEs
- Development of four new greenfield sports manufacturing clusters in port-proximate states
- Modernisation of existing clusters in Meerut and Jalandhar
- Establishment of shared testing and certification facilities
- Development of a global “Brand India” framework for sports equipment
The roadmap envisages a coordinated investment of approximately ₹7,500 crore between 2027 and 2031 to strengthen manufacturing capabilities, enhance export competitiveness, and support ecosystem development.
V. Export Growth and Employment Potential
If implemented effectively, the recommended measures could significantly strengthen India’s position in the global sports equipment industry. The report estimates that India’s sports equipment exports could grow from $275 million in 2024 to approximately $8.1 billion by 2036, increasing India’s share in global exports from 0.5% to around 11%. This expansion could generate approximately 54 lakh additional jobs, particularly within MSME-led manufacturing clusters.
VI. Leveraging Global Sporting Opportunities
The report highlights that a decade of upcoming global sporting events—including India’s proposed bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games—creates a sustained opportunity for Indian manufacturers to integrate into global procurement networks. Leveraging these opportunities can help India build long-term manufacturing capabilities while strengthening its role in global sports equipment supply chains. The report is based on extensive primary and secondary research, including consultations with over 50 stakeholders across industry, government, and the broader ecosystem.
The full report is available on the NITI Aayog website:
