BRICS Sports Ministers Adopt Joint Declaration, Announce Two Major Events in India
The BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting 2026 concluded in Visakhapatnam, a coastal city in Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday with the adoption by consensus of the BRICS Sports Joint Declaration. The declaration reaffirms the commitment of member states to strengthen cooperation in sport and provides a framework for collaborative action in the years ahead.
Held under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the meeting brought together ministers and senior sports officials from BRICS member countries. The gathering served as a platform to discuss deeper sporting ties, share expertise, and promote inclusive and sustainable development through sport.
Two key initiatives proposed during India’s chairship have now been confirmed with dates and venues. The BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave will be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in November. The BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on October 12 and 13. The meeting also advanced a proposal to establish a BRICS Working Group on Sports Technology, with a focus on sports science, athlete performance and digital transformation.
In his opening address, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya said that the grouping must move beyond paperwork and build a robust partnership. “We should build a BRICS Sporting Partnership that moves beyond declarations and creates real platforms for sports collaborations,” he stated. He identified athlete and coach exchanges, joint competitions, and sharing of sports science knowledge as key areas for cooperation.
The Union Minister also announced that the government will soon introduce a scheme to promote Sports Goods Manufacturing Clusters. This initiative is designed to attract investment into domestic manufacturing for global markets. Inviting foreign manufacturers, technology firms and investors to partner with India, Mr. Mandaviya said: “We invite global manufacturers, technology companies and investors to Make in India, Play in India and Grow with India.”
Underlining India’s commitment to inclusivity in sport, the Minister highlighted initiatives to promote para-sports and to create greater opportunities for women’s participation in sports at all levels.
The Udaipur Conclave will bring together manufacturers, exporters, investors and technology providers from BRICS countries. It aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices, quality standards and supply-chain approaches in the sports goods sector. Officials say the conclave is expected to open up new opportunities for collaboration and investment in this growing industry.
The Ahmedabad Games, in contrast, will be a non-competitive, culturally focused event. It will offer member countries a platform to showcase their traditional and indigenous sporting practices, promoting cultural understanding and mutual respect among the participating nations.
Ahead of the formal proceedings, ministers and delegates participated 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. They were joined by ministers from Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and South Africa. The event symbolised the spirit of unity and friendship that characterises the BRICS grouping.
The adoption of the Joint Declaration and the confirmation of concrete events mark a significant step in translating BRICS sporting cooperation into tangible outcomes. The initiatives underscore the group’s focus on manufacturing, technology and cultural exchange through sport, reflecting India’s efforts to foster meaningful collaboration among member states during its chairship.
