BRICS Sports Ministers adopt joint declaration
India proposes working group on sports technology
Visakhapatnam, Aug 23: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is transforming its sporting ecosystem, by creating opportunities from the playground to the podium, said Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday.
The BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting 2026 concluded here with the adoption by consensus of the BRICS Sports Joint Declaration, reaffirming the commitment of Member States to strengthen cooperation in sport through dialogue, mutual respect and inclusiveness.
Held under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the Meeting brought together Ministers and senior sports representatives from BRICS Member States to discuss cooperation priorities and sports development.
In his opening statement, Dr Mandaviya called for building a BRICS Sporting Partnership that translates the shared vision of Member States into tangible sporting collaborations.
“We should build a BRICS Sporting Partnership that moves beyond declarations and creates real platforms for sports collaborations, whether it is athlete and coach exchanges, joint competitions or sports science knowledge sharing,” he said.
The Union Minister highlighted India’s efforts to strengthen sports goods manufacturing, noting that the soon-to-be-launched scheme for promotion of Sports Goods Manufacturing Clusters will facilitate investment and promote domestic manufacturing for global markets.
“We invite global manufacturers, technology companies and investors to Make in India, Play in India and Grow with India,” he said.
Dr Mandaviya also underlined India’s commitment to making sport more inclusive through para-sport promotion initiatives and new pathways for greater participation of women in sport.
During India’s Chairship, three priority initiatives have been advanced to deepen cooperation in sports.
First, the BRICS Working Group on Sports Technology will strengthen BRICS cooperation in sports science, athlete performance, governance, AI, digital transformation and innovation, with India contributing experts across key sporting domains.
Second, India’s proposal for a BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave received broad support, with Udaipur, Rajasthan, proposed as the host city for its inaugural edition in November 2026. The Conclave will focus on exchange of best practices, technology and innovation, quality standards, intra-BRICS trade and resilient supply chains, while bringing together manufacturers, exporters, investors, technology providers, SMEs, start-ups and research institutions.
Third, the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026, proposed to be hosted in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 12-13 October 2026, will provide a platform for BRICS countries to showcase and preserve their diverse traditional and indigenous sporting heritage. Conceived as a non-competitive and culturally focused initiative, the Games will promote cultural exchange, people-to-people ties and mutual understanding.
Ahead of the formal proceedings, participating Ministers and dignitaries joined the BRICS Friendship Cycling Event, organised as part of the 87th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Visakhapatnam. Led by Dr Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, the event saw participation from Ministers from Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the UAE, Iran and South Africa, reflecting the shared BRICS commitment to promoting fitness, healthy lifestyles and people-to-people connections through sport.
Delegations reaffirmed the role of sport in advancing youth development, inclusion, cultural exchange and international cooperation, while welcoming the progress achieved during India’s BRICS Chairship.
Dr Mandaviya appreciated all participating countries for their continued commitment to strengthening cooperation in sports within the BRICS framework and expressed confidence that the partnership would translate into meaningful and sustained sporting collaboration among Member States.
The outcomes of the Meeting contribute to India’s BRICS Chairship theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
