About Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme:
- It aims to promote investment, manufacturing, innovation and exports, and strengthen India's position in the global sports goods sector.
- It provides support across the sports goods manufacturing value chain, from infrastructure and investment to research, skills, certification and market development.
- Time Period: 2026 to 2033-34.
- It has two parts: incentives that support manufacturing and interventions that build the wider ecosystem.
- Key Features of Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme:
- Developing Integrated Manufacturing Zones: These zones will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities, design and prototyping centres, and ancillary enterprises.
- These will be developed through convergence with the BHAVYA Scheme and NICDC Industrial Parks.
- Attracting Investment and Expanding Production: The scheme earmarks a combined ₹1,130 crore for Anchor Investment Support and Turnover Linked Support.
- Anchor Investment Support will encourage leading domestic and global manufacturers, brands and retail chains to establish facilities in the designated zones.
- Turnover Linked Support will incentivize higher production, capacity expansion and sustained manufacturing growth.
- Upgrading existing clusters and supporting MSMEs: Existing sports goods manufacturing clusters will receive support for upgrading common facilities and shared infrastructure through cost-sharing with States, helping smaller enterprises strengthen their manufacturing capabilities.
- Supporting international certification: To improve access to international markets, ₹105 crore has been allocated to help manufacturers obtain and renew certifications from International Sports Federations.
- Advancing research and start-up innovation: Centres of Excellence in premier educational and research institutions will support research in sports equipment, material sciences, protective gear and advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Research co-funding will be encouraged through convergence with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. DPIIT-registered sports start-ups will be eligible for grants of up to ₹20 lakh.
- Developing industry-aligned skills: Skill development initiatives will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and relevant industry stakeholders to meet evolving workforce requirements.
- Promoting Indian sports goods globally: Branding, outreach and market development initiatives will draw on the Export Promotion Mission to improve the visibility of Indian sports goods and expand their international reach.
