Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Friday unveiled the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), outlining a broad plan to strengthen cooperation in sports as both countries gear up to host major international events over the next decade.
The roadmap focuses on collaboration in areas such as sports training, high-performance coaching, sports science, technology, investment and youth exchanges. It also proposes an India-Australia Youth Sports Festival to encourage greater engagement between young athletes from the two countries.
It was also announced that the inaugural match of the upcoming edition of Big Bash League will be played at Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Modi and Albanese were joined at the event by Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan and Australian sporting icons, former cricketers Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar.
Speaking at the event, Modi said sport has the unique ability to bring people together and expressed confidence that the new roadmap would broaden the scope of the India-Australia sporting partnership.
The Prime Minister also congratulated Australia on winning the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Highlighting the opportunities ahead, Modi noted that India will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, while Australia will stage the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.
He said the two events provide a natural platform for the countries to work together in athlete development, sports infrastructure, event management and related sectors.
The two Prime Ministers later interacted with young athletes taking part in exhibition matches of kabaddi, Australian Rules football and cricket, showcasing the growing sporting links between the two nations.
The visit to the iconic MCG reflected the expanding role of sport in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both countries looking to deepen cooperation through stronger people-to-people ties and institutional partnerships.
Inaugural match of Big Bash League to be played in Chennai; Modi and Albanese unveil sports roadmap
