The BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting 2026 concluded in Visakhapatnam on Sunday with the adoption by consensus of the BRICS Sports Joint Declaration, reaffirming the commitment of member States to strengthen cooperation in sport.

Two initiatives taken forward during India’s BRICS Chairship now have confirmed dates and venues. The BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave will be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in November, while the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on October 12 and 13. The meeting also advanced the proposal for a BRICS Working Group on Sports Technology, with a focus on sports science, athlete performance and digital transformation.

Held under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the meeting brought together Ministers and senior sports officials from member States. In his opening statement, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya said the grouping needed to move beyond paperwork.

“We should build a BRICS Sporting Partnership that moves beyond declarations and creates real platforms for sports collaborations,” he said, citing athlete and coach exchanges, joint competitions and sharing of sports science knowledge as areas for cooperation.

Mr. Mandaviya also announced that the government would soon introduce a scheme to promote Sports Goods Manufacturing Clusters, aimed at attracting investment into domestic manufacturing for global markets. Inviting foreign manufacturers, technology firms and investors to partner with India, he said: “We invite global manufacturers, technology companies and investors to Make in India, Play in India and Grow with India.”

He also underlined India’s commitment to making sport more inclusive through initiatives to promote para-sports and create greater opportunities for women’s participation in sport.

The Udaipur Conclave will bring together manufacturers, exporters, investors and technology providers from BRICS countries to exchange practices, quality standards and supply-chain approaches. The Ahmedabad Games, in contrast, will be a non-competitive, culturally focused event aimed at enabling member countries to showcase their traditional and indigenous sporting practices.

Ahead of the formal proceedings, Ministers and delegates took part in the BRICS Friendship Cycling Event, organised as part of the 87th edition of Fit India’s “Sundays on Cycle” initiative. Mr. Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse led the ride, joined by Ministers from Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and South Africa.

Published - August 23, 2026 07:04 pm IST