Sports Ministry Urges NSFs to Form Global Strategy Panels

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has taken a decisive step toward strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem by issuing a directive to all recognised National Sports Federations to establish two dedicated internal bodies. These committees focus on International Relations and Make in India in Sports, reflecting the government’s broader vision of global engagement alongside domestic capacity building.

This advisory signals a structured approach to sports governance, where federations are expected to look beyond day-to-day competition management and actively contribute to India’s international presence and self-reliance in sports infrastructure, equipment and expertise.

By formalising these committees, the Ministry aims to ensure consistency, accountability and long-term planning across sports disciplines, while aligning federation activities with national priorities and international standards.

Directive to National Sports Federations

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has directed all recognised National Sports Federations to establish dedicated committees on International Relations and Make in India in Sports within their organisational structures. This move applies uniformly across federations, regardless of the size or popularity of the sport, underscoring the importance of governance reforms at every level.

The directive emphasises that these committees are not symbolic bodies but functional units with defined responsibilities, timelines and reporting expectations. Federations are expected to integrate the committees into their decision-making frameworks to ensure sustained impact rather than one-time compliance.

Role of the International Relations Committee

To strengthen India’s global engagement in sports, the International Relations Committee will oversee interactions with International Federations and Continental Federations relevant to each sport. This includes monitoring updates related to competition rules, governance frameworks, election processes and athlete-centric programmes introduced at the international level.

The committee is expected to act as a knowledge hub within the federation, ensuring that international developments are promptly understood and implemented. This proactive engagement will help Indian athletes and administrators remain aligned with evolving global standards and best practices.

Planning International Cooperation and Engagement

A key responsibility of the International Relations Committee is the formulation of a medium-term international cooperation plan. This plan will cover bilateral and multilateral memoranda of understanding, joint training camps, athlete and coach exchange programmes, and structured knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Such cooperation is intended to provide Indian athletes with exposure to advanced training methodologies and competitive environments, while also positioning India as a credible partner for hosting international sporting events and developmental programmes.

Compliance, Governance and Athlete Protection

The committee will ensure that all international activities adhere strictly to the policies of the Government of India, the Olympic Charter and the statutes of respective International Federations. Compliance with good governance norms will remain a central focus.

Equally important is adherence to anti-doping regulations and athlete protection guidelines. By embedding these principles into international engagements, the committee aims to safeguard athlete welfare while preserving the integrity of Indian sport on the global stage.

Collaboration with Global Institutions

The International Relations Committee will work to enhance collaboration with partner national federations and leading international sports research and academic institutions. These partnerships are expected to deliver high-quality training opportunities supported by modern sports science and performance analytics.

Such collaborations can bridge knowledge gaps, introduce innovation in training and recovery, and contribute to long-term athlete development pathways that align with international benchmarks.

Bidding and Hosting International Events

An important operational role of the committee involves liaising with international federations and relevant organisations to ensure timely participation in bidding procedures for hosting rights. This includes monitoring bidding calendars, eligibility requirements and documentation processes.

All proposals to host international events in India will be shared with the Ministry in advance for review and consultation. This ensures alignment with national guidelines, infrastructure readiness and broader strategic objectives before commitments are made.

Make in India in Sports Committee Objectives

The Make in India in Sports Committee has been tasked with strengthening the domestic sports manufacturing ecosystem. It will actively engage with Indian manufacturers, start-ups, research institutions and testing and standardisation bodies.

The committee’s work will focus on supporting product development, conducting trials and facilitating certification processes for sports equipment and technology, thereby reducing reliance on imports and promoting indigenous solutions.

Supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat through Sports

By encouraging the adoption of domestically developed equipment and technology, the committee aligns closely with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. This approach aims to create sustainable demand for Indian-made sports products across disciplines.

Periodic reports prepared by the committee will outline progress, challenges and actionable recommendations, offering federations a clear roadmap to increase their contribution to domestic manufacturing and innovation.

Composition of the International Relations Committee

The International Relations Committee will comprise senior federation members along with former international athletes, experienced coaches and subject matter experts. These individuals are expected to have demonstrated expertise in global sports administration and diplomacy.

Details regarding the committee’s composition and terms of reference may be shared with the Ministry within 30 days of the issuance of the advisory, ensuring transparency and timely implementation.

Composition of the Make in India in Sports Committee

The Make in India in Sports Committee will include senior federation members, technical experts and former international athletes. At least one member must possess expertise in sports equipment, technology, manufacturing or standards.

Federations have been given up to 60 days to submit details of this committee, including its composition and scope of work, allowing adequate time to identify suitable experts and establish clear operational frameworks.

Long-Term Impact on Indian Sports Ecosystem

The establishment of these committees represents a structural reform aimed at improving coordination, professionalism and strategic vision within National Sports Federations. By combining global engagement with domestic capability building, the initiative addresses both performance and sustainability.

Over time, this approach is expected to enhance India’s credibility in international sports governance, improve athlete outcomes and stimulate growth in the domestic sports industry, creating a more resilient and competitive sporting ecosystem.

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