India Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme: Cabinet Approves Rs 1856 Crore to Build Global Sports Hub

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,856.67 crore, aimed at making India a global hub for designing and manufacturing sports goods. The scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, will run from 2026 to 2033-34. It seeks to strengthen India’s sports goods manufacturing base through investment support, technology adoption, research and innovation, skill development, quality certification and market development. A central feature of the scheme is the development of dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones, bringing manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities, design and prototyping centres and ancillary units together in integrated industrial clusters. Up to four such zones, each over 300 acres, are planned, developed in convergence with existing infrastructure under the BHAVYA Scheme and NICDC industrial parks. The scheme earmarks a combined Rs 1,130 crore for Anchor Investment Support and Turnover Linked Support. Anchor support will give 20 per cent capital support for investments of Rs 100 crore or more, encouraging leading domestic and global manufacturers, brands and retail chains to set up facilities in the zones. Turnover-linked support will give up to 15 per cent incentive for investments of Rs 10 crore or more, rewarding higher output and capacity expansion. A further Rs 105 crore will help manufacturers obtain and renew certifications from international sports federations, covering 70 per cent of first-time costs and 50 per cent of renewal costs, improving product quality and access to overseas markets. Existing clusters and micro, small and medium enterprises will also receive support to upgrade common facilities and shared infrastructure. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the scheme would empower the country’s youth through new employment opportunities and drive investment, in line with the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. The government expects the measures to attract private investment, reduce import dependence, increase domestic value addition and create employment across the sports goods value chain, with Jalandhar and Meerut among the main existing clusters.