The India-Australia Roadmap for Sports Collaboration, announced in Melbourne on Friday, aims to forge stronger ties between sporting institutions, athletes, universities, and industry bodies in both nations, extending their partnership well beyond cricket.
Scope of the Roadmap
The roadmap was unveiled by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on July 10, 2026. It outlines cooperation in coach development, sports science, athlete support, youth exchanges, and collaboration around major global sporting events.
Major Events on the Horizon
Both countries are preparing for a significant decade in global sport. India is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, while Australia will stage the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032. New Delhi has also expressed its ambition to host a future edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Capacity Building and High-Performance Centers
A key area of cooperation involves building sporting capacity. Australia will share its expertise in establishing and managing high-performance sports centres in India. Coaches and coach educators from both countries will participate in exchange programmes to enhance skills and knowledge.
Focus on Para Sports and Physical Education
Para sports have been identified as a priority, with collaboration on athlete classification, coaching, and performance support. The roadmap also proposes exchanges in physical education, allowing institutions to share knowledge in school sports, sports science, and community participation. Opportunities to promote yoga and yogasana sports in Australia will also be explored.
Athlete Support and Scholarships
Indian athletes may gain greater access to high-performance programmes in Australia through scholarships funded by the Government of India and partnerships with sports organisations and universities. This aims to boost athlete development and performance.
Research Collaboration
Universities in India and Australia will be encouraged to collaborate on athlete performance analysis, injury prevention, sports nutrition, wearable technology, and recovery methods. They will also explore joint development of sports-related courses.
Promoting New Sports
The two countries will work together on hosting major events, sharing expertise, and organising exhibition matches and youth tournaments. Sports like kabaddi and kho kho could gain visibility in Australia, while Australian Rules football and basketball may find more opportunities in India.
Cricket Partnership Strengthened
The roadmap welcomes the first Big Bash League (BBL) match to be held in India, scheduled in Chennai in December 2026. It encourages Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India to explore hosting annual BBL matches in India.
Sports Industry and Trade
Beyond competition, the partnership extends to sports equipment manufacturing, broadcasting, event management, and sports technology start-ups. India and Australia aim to increase trade in sports goods and share expertise in coaching, strength and conditioning, athlete wellbeing, nutrition, and psychology.
Women in Sports
The roadmap places special emphasis on women's participation, with joint initiatives focused on leadership, health, high performance, and greater opportunities for women athletes.
Implementation
Officials stated that the roadmap will be implemented through existing partnerships, with projects undertaken based on available resources and timelines linked to major sporting events.
