UNION BUDGET 2026-27 PROPOSES DEDICATED INITIATIVE FOR SPORTS GOODS TO PROMOTE MANUFACTURING, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Leveraging India’s potential to emerge as a global hub for high quality, affordable sports goods, a dedicated initiative for sports goods is set to be launched in the country. This was stated by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament today.

The announcement on sports goods is centred on the first of the three kartavyas that form the pillars of this year’s Budget, namely, ‘to accelerate and sustain economic growth, by enhancing productivity and competitiveness, and building resilience to volatile global dynamics’. The aim of the sports goods initiative is to promote manufacturing, research and innovation, in both equipment design as well as material sciences.

The Union Budget puts forth another key proposal that seeks to strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem. In her Budget Speech, Smt. Sitharaman said, “The Sports Sector provides multiple means of employment, skilling and job opportunities. Taking forward the systematic nurturing of sports talent which is set in motion through the Khelo India programme, I propose to launch a Khelo India Mission to transform the Sports sector over the next decade.” This step aligns with the second kartavya outlined by the Budget, namely ‘to fulfil aspirations of our people and build their capacity, making them strong partners in India’s path to prosperity’.

As stated by the Finance Minister, the Khelo India Mission will facilitate the following:

• An integrated talent development pathway, supported by training centres at the foundational, intermediate and elite levels,
• Systematic development of coaches and support staff,
• Integration of sports science and technology,
• Competitions and leagues to promote sports culture and provide platforms; and,
• Development of sports infrastructure for training and competition.