AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE-GENERAL IN MUMBAI AND GOSPORTS FOUNDATION PARTNER TO EMPOWER INDIA’S EMERGING ATHLETES

The Australian Governments Direct Aid Program DAP, a small grants initiative administered through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade DFAT to support development-focused projects across the world, was the main donor for the GoSports Athlete Support Programme.

A grant from Australia's Direct Aid Program enabled GoSports Foundation provided critical support to five emerging Indian athletes, including para-athletes and women, marking a meaningful chapter in the growing partnership between India and Australia. The Australian Government's Direct Aid Program (DAP), a small grants initiative administered through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to support development-focused projects across the world, was the main donor for the GoSports Athlete Support Programme. The GoSports Athlete Support Programme implemented by GoSports Foundation (India's foremost non-profit organisations dedicated to nurturing sporting talent) was a one-year initiative from April 2025 to March 2026, supporting five emerging athletes from Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The athletes supported under the programme were Bhatt Rakeshbhai Dhanjibhai, Suyash Jadhav, Malvika Bansod, Aishwarya Mishra, and Shahu Mane. Competing across para-athletics, para-triathlon, para-swimming, badminton, athletics, and shooting, the cohort spanned genders and abilities, with all athletes receiving equal access to support. This is a deliberate reflection of both organisation's commitment to inclusive, performance-driven development.

The programme was designed to address the gaps that most commonly hold back emerging athletes in India: access to competition, quality equipment, and the science of performance. Support covered competition travel and accommodation, sport-specific equipment, nutrition planning, and sports psychology.

The impact has already been tangible. Shahu Mane unofficially broke a national record and topped Trial 1 after a critical rifle replacement funded by the grant. Malvika Bansod returned from injury to compete in nine European tour events, including a quarterfinal at the Orleans Masters, aided by Normatec recovery boots procured through the programme. Aishwarya Mishra has clocked 53.30 seconds, surpassing the Asian Games qualification mark of 53.70.

''The Australian DAP's support contributes meaningfully to building stronger, more consistent environments for our athletes. It is partnerships like these that help translate potential into performance by strengthening the systems around them,'' said Sonali Philip, Director – Operations, People & Culture from GoSports Foundation.

This partnership reflects Australia's belief that the strongest bilateral relationships are built not just between governments, but between people.

''Our partnership with GoSports Foundation through the Direct Aid Program is delivering real impact. It strengthens pathways from grassroots participation to elite competition, supporting athletes of all backgrounds and abilities with opportunities to excel. This reflects Australia's strong focus on sport as a driver of development and highlights the important role that sport plays in bilateral cooperation'' Paul Murphy, Australian Consul General to Western India.

GoSports Foundation and the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai look forward to deepening this collaboration and remain open to explore future bilateral engagements including high-performance training opportunities.

About GoSports Foundation.

GoSports Foundation is a national award-winning non-profit organisation committed to driving sporting excellence in India. Founded in 2008, the Foundation has spent over 16 years building structured pathways for Indian athletes to compete at the highest levels. Through athlete scholarships and knowledge-building programmes, GoSports currently supports more than 200 athletes across Olympic and Paralympic disciplines and has been part of the journeys of 29 Olympians, 35 Paralympians, and 16 Paralympic medallists. For more information, visit www.gosports.in.

About the Australian Direct Aid Program.

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DAP supports projects with a strong development focus, contributing to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, and people-to-people connections in partner countries.

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