India and Australia have unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to deepen sports cooperation over the next decade, expanding their partnership beyond cricket to include coach development, sports science, athlete support, research and collaboration in hosting major international events.
The India-Australia Roadmap for Sports Collaboration, announced in Melbourne on Friday, is part of efforts to strengthen ties between sporting institutions, athletes, universities and industry bodies in both countries.
The initiative comes at a significant time for both nations. India is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, while Australia will stage the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. India has also expressed its ambition to host a future edition of the Olympics and Paralympics.
A major focus of the roadmap is capacity building. Australia will share its expertise in establishing and managing high-performance sports centres in India, while coaches and coach educators from both countries will participate in exchange programmes.
The roadmap also identifies para sports as a priority area, with cooperation planned in athlete classification, coaching, training and performance support.
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To strengthen grassroots sports, both countries will encourage exchanges in physical education, enabling schools and institutions to share best practices in sports science, community participation and school-level sports. Opportunities to promote yoga and yogasana sports in Australia will also be explored.
Indian athletes are expected to gain greater access to Australia's high-performance training programmes through scholarships supported by the Government of India and partnerships with universities and sports organisations.
Research collaboration will cover athlete performance analysis, injury prevention, sports nutrition, wearable technology, recovery methods and the joint development of sports-related academic courses.
The roadmap also encourages collaboration in hosting major sporting events through exhibition matches and youth tournaments. Indigenous sports such as kabaddi and kho kho could gain wider exposure in Australia, while Australian Rules football and basketball may receive greater promotion in India.
It also welcomes the first Big Bash League match in India, scheduled in Chennai in December 2026, and encourages discussions on hosting annual BBL matches in the country.
The partnership further aims to boost cooperation in sports equipment manufacturing, broadcasting, event management, sports technology and initiatives promoting women's participation and leadership in sports.
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