G Sathiyan Calls for Government and Corporate Support at SPORTSCOM Conclave

Olympian and Arjuna Award-winning table tennis player G Sathiyan called for sustained collaboration among the government, corporate sector, and sports industry during SPORTSCOM's Annual Session and the second edition of the Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave at Shangri-La Eros in Delhi on Tuesday.

Delivering the keynote address, Sathiyan noted that sports have transformed from an extracurricular pursuit into a viable profession and economic driver. He stressed that athletes require substantial backing from corporates and the government to perform on the global stage, adding that grassroots visibility of medal winners helps inspire young athletes and their families.

The conclave brought together senior government officials, investors, and sports industry leaders to discuss policy frameworks, sports goods manufacturing, investment, and grassroots development.

Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary of Sports at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), detailed upcoming policy developments, including the National Sports Policy, the National Sports Governance Act, the National Sports Board, and the National Sports Tribunal. He also highlighted the proposed Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme.

Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary emphasised the need to view sports as a driver of employment and economic growth. He called for integrating sport with education and skilling across domains like sports science, coaching, nutrition, and event management. Meanwhile, Joint Secretary Kunal noted that India is pursuing a whole-of-government approach for its 2036 Olympic host bid.

In a manufacturing panel, NITI Aayog Senior Advisor Sanjeet Singh targeted $8 billion in sports goods exports by 2036, while industry heads discussed challenges such as raw material costs, logistics, and power expenses.

The session also marked a leadership change for SPORTSCOM. Outgoing President Jalaj Dani stepped down after eight years, handing over leadership to incoming President Vivek Singh.