In her ninth consecutive Union Budget presented on February 1, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a strategic blueprint to transform India into a global powerhouse for sports goods manufacturing.
The dedicated initiative focuses on three core pillars: Advanced Manufacturing, Material Sciences, and Innovation-driven Research. By leveraging high-tech tool rooms and reviving legacy industrial clusters, the government aims to lower input costs and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian sports equipment. This move is part of a broader “Khelo India Mission” intended to nurture talent and develop world-class sports infrastructure over the next decade.
Key Highlights of the Initiative
- Global Hub Ambition: The program aims to position India as a leading exporter of high-quality, affordable sports gear.
- Technological Push: Emphasis on research in equipment design and the development of new-age material sciences.
- Support for MSMEs: The initiative provides a boost to startups and small enterprises by integrating them into the global supply chain.
- Infrastructure: Introduction of high-tech tool rooms to manufacture high-precision components at scale.
- Legacy Cluster Revival: A scheme to rejuvenate 200 legacy industrial clusters to improve cost-effectiveness through infrastructure and technology upgrades.