New Delhi: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has called on all recognised National Sports Federations (NSFs) to constitute two new committees – one dedicated to international relations and another to advancing Make in India initiatives in sport.
The move aims to deepen India’s outreach in the global sports ecosystem while simultaneously boosting domestic equipment manufacturing and innovation, according to an official statement.
The proposed International Relations Committee will track developments in international and continental sporting bodies, including regulatory changes, governance reforms, and emerging athlete pathways. It will also draw up a medium-term cooperation strategy covering bilateral and multilateral agreements, joint training camps, exchange programmes and opportunities to host world-class events in India.
Federations have been reminded that all overseas engagement must align with national policy, as well as Olympic Charter norms, international federation rules, anti-doping measures, and athlete-protection frameworks. The committee is expected to strengthen cooperation with foreign federations, universities, and research bodies to secure elite training and sports science support for Indian athletes.
It will additionally assist federations in navigating bids for hosting tournaments and will be required to keep the Ministry informed of such plans in advance.
The second panel, focused on Make in India in Sports, will work closely with manufacturers, start-ups, and testing and certification organisations. Its mandate includes encouraging indigenous sports equipment and technological solutions, overseeing trials and validation processes, and identifying bottlenecks in domestic manufacturing. The committee will submit periodic reports outlining progress and further recommendations to reinforce self-reliance in the sector.
As part of the advisory, the government has set timelines for formation.
Federations must inform the Ministry of the composition and terms of reference for the International Relations Committee within 30 days, while the Make in India committee details must be submitted within 60 days.
Both groups are expected to include senior federation officials, former international athletes, and subject specialists – reflecting a push to bring experience, expertise, and innovation into India’s sporting system.
