New Delhi: Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said that India aims to become a prominent exporter of sports good globally in the nearing future. Mandaviya, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave in the capital, said that the country will roll out a dedicated sports goods manufacturing policy by the end of the year.
The Sports Minister further said that this will not only help nurture sporting talent but also make the country a prominent exporter of sports goods in the entire world. He further said that athletes in several sports disciplines have to rely on costly imported equipment to compete at the highest level to give them the cutting edge.
Mandaviya also announced the formation of a task force in partnership with National Sports Federations (NSFs) and industry stakeholders to craft a forward-looking policy.
‘By November-December, a scheme will be launched so that the country can become the best sports goods manufacturer, one that provides top-class facilities, empowers the entire ecosystem and (helps India) emerge as a prominent exporter of sports goods globally,’ the minister said at the Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave.
‘The sports ecosystem is growing at a very fast pace. Our country has the capability to achieve everything. What we need to understand are the challenges ahead. In the coming days, how do we move forward in the sports manufacturing sector? “We can also make sports medicines, sports infrastructure, sports literature, and sports education design a part of sports goods manufacturing. There are lots of challenges like GST – we must make a task force and have schemes and policies for sports manufacturing,’ he added.
Mandaviya also said that the ministry would reach out to stakeholders to create a pathway to improve the sector so as come out with greater production and export.
(With PTI inputs)