SportEdge Meerut Launched to Build India’s Premier Sports Manufacturing Hub

Shri Jayant Chaudhary emphasised that SportEdge Meerut is not merely an industrial program but a nation-building initiative.

In a major step toward strengthening India’s sports economy and positioning the country as a global leader in sports manufacturing, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, launched SportEdge Meerut (Sports and Entrepreneurship Development for Growth & Excellence)—a flagship initiative aimed at transforming Meerut into a world-class Sports Hub. The announcement marks a historic milestone for the region, which already has a rich heritage in sports goods manufacturing.

The launch event brought together government officials, industry leaders, skill development institutions, CSR partners, and international collaborators, underscoring the initiative’s scale and national significance.

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SportEdge Meerut: A Unified Mission to Strengthen India’s Sports Ecosystem

Shri Jayant Chaudhary emphasised that SportEdge Meerut is not merely an industrial program but a nation-building initiative. In his keynote address, he noted:

“Sport is not only about winning medals; it builds discipline, confidence and enterprise. As India prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and our athletes excel globally, our sports manufacturing ecosystem must match this momentum.”

He highlighted Meerut’s decades-long legacy in producing high-quality sports equipment, asserting that the region is poised to become an internationally acknowledged Sports Hub. SportEdge will bridge traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, skill development, and global market access.

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A Collaborative Framework to Transform Meerut’s Sports Industry

SportEdge Meerut has been launched through a partnership between:

• Sports, Physical Education, Fitness & Leisure Skills Council (SPEFL-SC)

• British Asian India Foundation (BAIF)

• NEST

• Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA)

• Government departments, NGOs, CSR partners, and international organisations

Together, BAIF and NEST aim to empower over 5,000 nano-entrepreneurs, strengthening market access, operations management, evidence-based learning, and cluster capacity.

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Strategic Pillars of SportEdge Meerut

The initiative is built on four major pillars designed to reshape India’s sports manufacturing and talent ecosystem:

1. Industry & Market Assessment

A detailed mapping of Meerut’s sports industry will identify strengths, gaps, and global opportunities. Insights from leading sports hubs in countries like Japan, China, and European markets will guide strategies to enhance exports, competitiveness, and quality standards.

2. Sustainable Livelihoods & Entrepreneurship

SportEdge aims to empower 1,000 women-led nano-enterprises, focusing on:

• Improved production efficiency

• Access to finance and formal credit

• Strengthened local supply chains

• Boosting income levels by at least 25%

• Ensuring a minimum ₹1 lakh annual earning per entrepreneur

This approach is designed to secure long-term commercial stability for the Meerut cluster.

3. Developing Local Sporting Talent

The project will identify 3–5 priority sports for Meerut and develop specialized training and development plans with local schools, academies, and coaches. Events, competitions, and sports awareness programs will foster stronger engagement among young athletes.

4. Gender Equity as a Core Driver

Women’s participation will be central—from entrepreneurship and manufacturing roles to sports training and leadership positions. The initiative seeks to create an enabling environment where women can lead micro-enterprises and access industry opportunities.

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Socio-Economic Impact and Replication Potential

SportEdge Meerut is envisioned as a scalable model that can be replicated across India’s emerging sports clusters. Expected benefits include:

• Large-scale job creation for youth

• A modernized manufacturing ecosystem driven by design, quality, and technology

• Stronger export potential for Indian sports goods

• Increased tax revenue and economic activity

• Inclusive growth through women-led enterprises

The initiative is designed to directly contribute to the national sports economy while elevating India’s global competitiveness in sports manufacturing.

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Launch of Centre of Excellence in Sports Goods Manufacturing

In the second major highlight of the day, Shri Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Sports Goods Manufacturing—specifically focusing on Badminton Racket production—at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut.

Supported by SPEFL-SC and leading industry contributors, the CoE is envisioned as a state-of-the-art training, innovation, and production facility. Its goals include:

• Training youth and artisans in advanced sports goods manufacturing

• Enhancing product design and global quality standards

• Promoting women’s participation in skilled manufacturing

• Strengthening industry–academia linkages

The CoE is expected to serve as a key driver of innovation and skill development in India’s rapidly growing sports goods sector.

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Boosting Grassroots Sports Infrastructure

Members of Parliament and local legislators have pledged contributions from their MPLAD funds to support the development of sports infrastructure across Meerut. This includes building:

• Community sports centres

• Training facilities

• Playfields and arenas

• Youth engagement programs

These investments will help foster a strong sporting culture at the grassroots level and nurture talent across districts.

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A Vision for India’s Sporting Future

With SportEdge Meerut now underway, India is poised to strengthen its presence in the global sports manufacturing supply chain. By combining innovation, entrepreneurship, skills, and gender equity, the initiative is set to transform Meerut into a benchmark sports hub—not just for India, but for the world.