**Executive Summary**
The 4th India Sporting Goods Fair (ISGF) 2026, held from March 31 to April 2, 2026, focuses on transforming India into a global hub for sports goods manufacturing and exports. Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao outlined a vision to scale exports from ₹3,000 crore to ₹80,000 crore, supported by a ₹500 crore Union Budget allocation. Key upcoming milestones include the launch of a dedicated sports goods manufacturing scheme within the next few months to drive innovation and global competitiveness.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**National Vision and Export Targets**
* The government aims to position India as a premier global hub for sports goods manufacturing, trade, and exports.
* A target has been set to increase exports from the current ₹3,000 crore to ₹80,000 crore, requiring manufacturers to scale their operations nearly 25 times.
* The upcoming decade is projected to be transformational for the sports manufacturing sector to meet both domestic and global demand.
**Government Support and Policy Initiatives**
* The Union Budget has allocated ₹500 crore specifically for the sports goods sector.
* A new sports goods manufacturing scheme is expected to be launched within the next couple of months, pending final approvals.
* The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports committed to providing full policy support and facilitating international collaborations and joint ventures.
**Industry Requirements and Innovation**
* Execution of the growth strategy must be industry-led, focusing on aggressive scaling and global expansion.
* Emphasis is placed on innovation, investment, and a forward-looking approach to manufacturing.
* There is a specific call for youth and next-generation entrepreneurs to lead the sector's expansion and for new manufacturers to enter the market.
**ISGF 2026 Event Details**
* The event is organized by the Sports Goods and Toys Export Promotion Council at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka.
* The fair features 75 exhibitors showcasing products including athletic goods, fitness equipment, cricket gear, sports apparel, and toys.
**Impact Analysis**
**Sports Goods Manufacturers**
**Impact**
They are positioned at the center of a major growth trajectory with the potential to scale operations 25-fold and benefit from a ₹500 crore budget allocation.
**Action Required**
Multiply manufacturing scale, adopt innovative technologies, and explore international collaborations and joint ventures.
**Youth and Next-Generation Entrepreneurs**
**Impact**
Identified as the primary drivers of the sector's expansion and future leadership.
**Action Required**
Enter the sports manufacturing sector and lead the industry's transition through innovation and investment.
**International Buyers and Stakeholders**
**Impact**
Increased access to a diversifying Indian market and opportunities for global partnerships.
**Action Required**
Participate in Indian sporting goods exhibitions and engage with domestic manufacturers for trade and export opportunities.
**State Governments**
**Impact**
Increased responsibility and opportunity to promote regional sports manufacturing hubs due to growing sector interest.
**Action Required**
Continue promoting the expansion of sports goods manufacturing within their jurisdictions to support the national vision.
Key Entities Referenced
India Sporting Goods Fair (ISGF) 2026: The primary international trade event aimed at positioning India as a global manufacturing and export hub for sports equipment.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The lead government ministry providing policy support, joint venture facilitation, and budget allocation for the sports goods sector.
Sports goods manufacturing scheme: A planned government initiative designed to expand manufacturing capacity to meet domestic demand and enhance global export potential.
Hari Ranjan Rao: Secretary (Sports) who established the national vision to scale sports goods exports from ₹3,000 crore to ₹80,000 crore.
Sports Goods and Toys Export Promotion Council: The organizing body of ISGF responsible for promoting Indian sports goods and toys in the international market.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao Urges
Industry to Position India as Global Hub for
Sports Goods Manufacturing at ISGF 2026
“This is the golden moment for India’s sports goods industry;
think big and scale globally”: Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan
Rao
“Next decade likely to be transformational for sports
manufacturing sector”: Joint Secretary, Department of Sports
Posted On: 31 MAR 2026 4:32PM by PIB Delhi
The 4th edition of the India Sporting Goods Fair (ISGF) 2026 opened with a strong focus on transforming
India into a global hub for sports goods manufacturing, exports and trade.
Addressing exhibitors, international buyers and stakeholders, Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs
and Sports, Hari Ranjan Rao, stated, “This is a golden period in the growth trajectory of India’s sports
goods industry.”
Outlining an ambitious national vision, Rao highlighted that India aims to scale sports goods exports from
approximately ₹3,000 crore to ₹80,000 crore.
Emphasising the scale of transformation required, he said, “If we have to move from ₹3,000 crore to
₹80,000 crore, every manufacturer will have to multiply their scale nearly 25 times. If you do not dream
big, you will not be able to achieve it.”
Manufacturers were urged to scale aggressively, expand globally and adopt a forward-looking approach
driven by innovation and investment, with special emphasis on the role of youth and next-generation
entrepreneurs in leading this expansion.
“Let us aim to host the world’s largest sports goods exhibition in India with participation from exhibitors
across the globe,” Rao said.
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment, Rao noted that ₹500 crore has already been allocated in the
Union Budget for the sector.
It was underlined that while the Government will provide full policy support, execution must be led by the
industry.
“We would also like to see many more new manufacturers entering the sports manufacturing sector. The
industry should actively explore joint ventures and international collaborations, and the Ministry will be
happy to support such partnerships,” the Secretary (Sports) said.Addressing the gathering, Joint Secretary (Sports), Vineel Krishna, highlighted the Government’s broader
vision and stated, “The Government is very ambitious about expanding the sports goods manufacturing
sector, not only to meet domestic demand but also to enhance India’s global export potential.”
“We are hopeful that in the next couple of months we will be able to launch the sports goods
manufacturing scheme after necessary approvals,” he said.
Joint Secretary (Sports) also highlighted the increasing interest shown by several State Governments in
promoting the expansion of sports goods manufacturing in the country.
“The next decade is going to be transformational for the sports sector, and all of you will be part of this
growth story,” he added.
ISGF, organised by the Sports Goods and Toys Export Promotion Council, is being held from March 31 to
April 2, 2026 in Yashobhoomi, Dwarka.
The 4th edition of ISGF features 75 exhibitors showcasing a diverse range of products including athletic
goods, badminton and tennis equipment, boxing gear, cricket equipment, fitness equipment, sports
apparel, indoor sports equipment and toys.*****
Ayushman Kumar
(Release ID: 2247303) Visitor Counter : 207
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