New roadmap strengthens India Australia sports partnership
India and Australia have launched the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap, a new framework aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in sports, athlete development, research and investment under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The roadmap was unveiled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during a joint visit by Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Australia the Hon. Anthony Albanese, and Premier of Victoria the Hon. Jacinta Allan. Australian sporting figures Mr. Steve Waugh and Ms. Lisa Sthalekar also attended the event, highlighting the strong people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Building on the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Sports, the roadmap identifies five priority areas: capacity building, sports science and technology, major sporting events, sports industry and investment, and women’s sport.
Key initiatives include coach and educator exchanges, collaboration on high performance sports centres, joint university research, expanded para sport cooperation, and an India-Australia Youth Sports Festival. The roadmap also supports closer collaboration ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In the sports industry, India and Australia will encourage partnerships in sports manufacturing, broadcasting, event management, innovation and investment. Cricket also remains a major focus, with both countries welcoming the inaugural Big Bash League match scheduled for Chennai in December 2026 and supporting continued collaboration between Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said sport has the power to unite people and create new opportunities for cooperation. He also congratulated Australia on its Women’s Cricket World Cup victory and noted that the coming decade of major international sporting events presents new opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties.
The India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap reflects both countries’ commitment to using sport to deepen diplomatic, economic and community links while creating lasting opportunities for athletes, institutions and businesses.
Source: Prime Minister Office of India
