Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have launched the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, expanding bilateral cooperation beyond cricket. …reports Asian Lite News Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday launched the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap during a visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marking a new phase in bilateral cooperation across sports, sports science, coaching, technology and sporting infrastructure.
The initiative was unveiled at the iconic stadium in the presence of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and several Australian sporting figures, including Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar. The event underscored the growing importance of sports, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties within the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Sharing his experience after the visit, Prime Minister Modi posted on X, “Wonderful to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground with PM Albanese. The passion for sport continues to bring the people of India and Australia closer.”
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the Melbourne Cricket Ground held a special place in the hearts of Indians because of the long-standing cricketing rivalry and friendship between the two countries.
“After coming to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, any Indian naturally thinks of two things: the thrill of an India-Australia cricket match and the feeling that in both our countries, cricket is not just a game but a shared passion. But today, there is no pressure here; today there is only happiness and the excitement of our shared friendship,” he said.
Launching the Sports Collaboration Roadmap alongside Albanese, PM Modi described sports as an important pillar of India-Australia relations and said cooperation would extend well beyond cricket.
“Sports is a strong link in the relations between India and Australia. Today, it gives me great joy to launch the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap alongside Prime Minister Albanese. Under this, we will strengthen cooperation not only in cricket but also in other sports.”
The Prime Minister said the roadmap would deepen collaboration in training, sports science and technological innovation while encouraging greater institutional partnerships between the two countries.
“We will move forward together in sports training, sports science, and technology. Along with on-field, we will also strengthen our off-field partnership. In India, we have not only democratised technology but also sports,” he said.
Highlighting India’s efforts to widen access to sporting opportunities, PM Modi referred to the Khelo India programme, saying it had enabled young athletes from across the country to pursue their ambitions.
“Through the Khelo India Programme, people from small towns, villages, and ordinary families are getting a platform to dream big. Today, sporting talent in India is not limited to a few big cities. It is emerging from every corner and every background of the country.”
The Prime Minister also pointed to opportunities for greater cooperation as India and Australia prepare to host major international sporting events over the coming decade.
“In 2030, India is going to host the Commonwealth Games. We are also making efforts to host the 2036 Olympics in India. Brisbane will host the Olympics in 2032. To host these global events, sports infrastructure will be prepared on a mega scale. This means that in the coming years, we will get numerous new opportunities to learn from each other and work together.”
The visit to the MCG formed part of Prime Minister Modi’s three-day visit to Australia and reflected the growing scope of bilateral engagement beyond traditional areas such as trade, defence and security.
The India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap is expected to promote cooperation in athlete development, coaching, sports science, technology, infrastructure and institutional exchanges, further strengthening sporting ties and broader people-to-people connections between the two countries.
