India, Australia Unveil Sports Collaboration Roadmap
PM Modi says sports can deepen people-to-people ties as both nations prepare to host major global sporting events
GG News Bureau
Melbourne, 10th July: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) along with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan to celebrate the growing sporting partnership between India and Australia.
Several Australian sporting legends, including former cricket captain Steve Waugh and former Australia women’s cricketer Lisa Sthalekar, attended the event, highlighting the expanding role of sports in strengthening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During the event, the two Prime Ministers jointly unveiled the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap, aimed at expanding cooperation in sports training, capacity building, sports science and technology, and sports industry and investment. The roadmap also envisages the organisation of an India-Australia Youth Sports Festival to deepen sporting exchanges between the two countries.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said sports have a unique ability to unite people and expressed confidence that the new roadmap would diversify and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the sporting sector.
He congratulated Australia on winning the Women’s Cricket World Cup and noted that both countries are entering an important decade in international sports, with India set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and Australia preparing to host the Brisbane Olympic Games in 2032.
The Prime Minister said these major sporting events present natural opportunities for closer collaboration in sports development, training, infrastructure and associated industries.
During the visit, the two leaders also interacted with young athletes participating in exhibition matches of Kabaddi, Australian Rules Football and cricket, underscoring the importance of youth engagement and people-to-people ties in the bilateral relationship.
The visit highlighted the growing role of sports diplomacy as an important pillar of India-Australia relations.
