Report: India Can Create 5.4 Million Jobs in Sports Equipment Sector

India Aims to Boost Sports Equipment Exports to USD 8.1 Billion by 2036, Create 5.4 Million Jobs​

New Delhi, March 19 – India has the potential to significantly expand its sports equipment exports to USD 8.1 billion and generate around 5.4 million additional jobs by 2036, according to a report released by Niti Aayog on Thursday.

The report highlights the opportunity to increase India’s share in global sports goods exports from USD 2 billion to USD 24 billion and equipment exports from USD 275 million (0.5 per cent of global market) to USD 8.1 billion (11 per cent) over the next decade.

Titled "Realizing the Export Potential of India's Sports Equipment Manufacturing," the study underscores that India is at a critical juncture, driven by shifting global supply chains, a robust pipeline of upcoming mega sporting events, and growing policy support for the sector.

Unlocking Global Competitiveness​

The report emphasizes the need for targeted and sustained investments to enhance India’s global competitiveness in sports equipment manufacturing while reducing import dependence. Key recommendations include addressing structural cost disadvantages, strengthening partnerships with international anchor brands, upgrading manufacturing clusters, and improving market access and branding.

India’s sports goods sector, largely driven by MSME-led clusters, holds significant untapped export potential, the report notes. Realizing this potential requires coordinated policy action and long-term strategic planning, along with close collaboration between the government, industry stakeholders, and sports institutions.

Economic Impact and Job Creation​

Effective implementation of the report’s recommendations could position India as a trusted global supplier of high-quality sports equipment. The study projects a cumulative creation of 5.4 million additional jobs by 2036 across MSME-led clusters.

“The potential upside is substantial: USD 8.1 billion in equipment exports and 5.4 million new jobs. These measures are certain to establish India as a trusted global supplier of high-quality sports equipment,” the report said.

Strategic Priorities​

To achieve these targets, the report suggests a phased approach prioritizing key sports segments based on global market size and India’s current manufacturing readiness. While the sector has significant export potential, it faces competitiveness gaps that restrict its ability to win global orders, meet lead-time expectations, and ensure compliance readiness.

Without targeted interventions, India’s exports are projected to grow at a historical rate of 0.6 per cent CAGR, keeping its global market share marginal at 0.4 per cent through 2036.

Proposed Interventions​

To reach the USD 8.1 billion export mark, the report recommends:

• Coordinated structural reforms, targeted fiscal support, and ecosystem-building measures to expand manufacturing capabilities.
• Easing duties and quality certification obligations, alongside developing domestic raw material ecosystems, such as carbon fibre, to reduce per-unit costs.
• Development of integrated, world-class manufacturing clusters to address scale, infrastructure, and technology adoption challenges.
• Targeted market-access and branding reforms to improve global competitiveness and visibility.

Collectively, these measures aim to position India as a credible global manufacturing hub for sports equipment, enabling the country to capture market share from established exporters including China, Vietnam, and Pakistan.