Visakhapatnam: BRICS Sports Ministers on Sunday adopted a joint declaration at the conclusion of the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting 2026 in Visakhapatnam, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in sports through dialogue, inclusiveness and mutual respect.
The meeting, held under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, was attended by sports ministers and senior representatives from member countries to discuss sports development and cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya called for deeper collaboration among BRICS nations through athlete and coach exchanges, joint competitions and sharing of sports science expertise.
Mandaviya also highlighted India’s efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure and manufacturing, stating that a forthcoming scheme for Sports Goods Manufacturing Clusters would promote investment and domestic production for global markets.
During the meeting, India advanced three key initiatives aimed at expanding cooperation within the BRICS framework.
These include the formation of a BRICS Working Group on Sports Technology to promote collaboration in sports science, athlete performance, governance, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and innovation.
India also proposed a BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave, which received broad support from member nations. The inaugural edition is proposed to be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in November 2026 and will focus on technology, innovation, quality standards, intra-BRICS trade and supply chains in the sports manufacturing sector.
Another proposal relates to the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games, scheduled to be hosted in Ahmedabad on October 12 and 13, 2026. The event is envisaged as a non-competitive platform to showcase and preserve the traditional sporting heritage of member countries and promote cultural exchange.
Ahead of the ministerial meeting, delegates participated in the BRICS Friendship Cycling Event organised under the Fit India Sundays on Cycle programme. The event was led by Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, with participation from ministers representing Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and South Africa.
Delegations reiterated the role of sport in promoting youth development, inclusion, cultural exchange and international cooperation, while welcoming the progress made during India’s BRICS chairship.
The meeting formed part of India’s BRICS Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
