New Delhi: In a significant move to strengthen India’s position in global manufacturing, sports equipment manufacturing has been identified as a high-potential sector in a new report released by NITI Aayog titled “Realising the Export Potential of India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector.”
The report provides a comprehensive assessment of India’s capabilities, global opportunities, and policy interventions required to position the country as a competitive player in sports equipment manufacturing worldwide.
The report was released by Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in the presence of Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog, and Nidhi Chhibber, CEO, NITI Aayog, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, state governments, and representatives from the industry and sports manufacturing ecosystem.
Aligned with the Make in India initiative and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the report outlines an evidence-based roadmap to unlock export growth in Sports Equipment Manufacturing, highlighting its potential to drive employment generation and MSME-led industrial development.
Sports Equipment Manufacturing: Global Market Opportunity
The report notes that the global sports goods market, including apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories, was valued at approximately $700 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2036.
Within this, sports equipment manufacturing alone accounts for around $140 billion, expected to grow to approximately $283 billion by 2036.
Global exports of sports equipment stood at nearly $52 billion in 2024, driven by increasing participation in sports, expansion of professional leagues, and growing fitness awareness.
This growth trajectory presents a strong opportunity for India to scale its Sports Equipment Manufacturing exports.
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India’s Position in Sports Equipment Manufacturing
India’s sports equipment manufacturing ecosystem, though relatively small globally, has strong foundational capabilities. The country currently exports approximately $275 million worth of sports equipment annually, accounting for around 0.5% of global exports.
Manufacturing is concentrated in established clusters such as Jalandhar in Punjab and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, supported by exporters, manufacturing units, and thousands of micro enterprises.
The sector is predominantly MSME-driven, with nearly 90% of production undertaken by small and micro enterprises, making Sports Equipment Manufacturing a key contributor to employment and regional economic development.
India’s domestic sports goods market is estimated at around $2.5 billion, with sports equipment contributing nearly $0.5 billion, indicating significant scope for expansion in both domestic and export markets.
Key Challenges Impacting Sports Equipment Manufacturing Competitiveness
Despite its potential, the report highlights several structural challenges affecting India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing competitiveness in global markets.
Indian manufacturers face a cost disadvantage of approximately 15–20% compared to key competitors such as China and Pakistan.
The major constraints include high customs duties on critical raw materials like carbon fibre, EVA foam, and polyurethane; high certification costs for international standards; logistics inefficiencies; limited access to advanced manufacturing technologies; weak integration with global brands; and low global visibility of Indian products.
Addressing these challenges is critical to strengthening India’s position in global Sports Equipment Manufacturing value chains.
Strategic Roadmap for Strengthening Sports Equipment Manufacturing
The report proposes a comprehensive strategy to position India as a leading global supplier in Sports Equipment Manufacturing by 2036.
Key recommendations include rationalising duties on raw materials, promoting technology upgradation for MSMEs, and establishing common testing and certification facilities.
It also suggests developing four new greenfield manufacturing clusters in port-proximate states and modernising existing hubs in Meerut and Jalandhar.
Additionally, the creation of a global “Brand India” framework is proposed to enhance visibility and market access for Indian Sports Equipment Manufacturing products.
The roadmap envisages an investment of approximately ₹7,500 crore between 2027 and 2031 to strengthen infrastructure, improve competitiveness, and support ecosystem development.
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Export Growth and Employment Potential
The report estimates that with effective implementation of these measures, India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing exports could increase from $275 million in 2024 to approximately $8.1 billion by 2036. This would raise India’s share in global exports from 0.5% to around 11%.
Such growth could generate nearly 54 lakh additional jobs, particularly within MSME-driven clusters, further reinforcing the sector’s importance in India’s manufacturing and employment landscape.
Leveraging Global Sporting Opportunities
The report underscores that upcoming global sporting events, including India’s proposed bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, present a major opportunity for Sports Equipment Manufacturing growth.
These events can enable Indian manufacturers to integrate into global procurement networks and enhance long-term competitiveness.
The study is based on extensive research and consultations with over 50 stakeholders across government, industry, and the broader ecosystem, reinforcing the strategic importance of Sports Equipment Manufacturing in India’s export-driven growth agenda.
