10 July,2026 10:06 AM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Pic/AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Friday launched the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap during a visit to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), strengthening cooperation between the two nations in sports, technology, training, and infrastructure development.
The launch event was attended by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and several Australian sporting personalities, including Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar. The initiative highlights the growing importance of sporting partnerships, cultural connections, and people-to-people exchanges as part of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The roadmap aims to create new opportunities in athlete development, coaching, sports science, innovation, and institutional collaboration between the two countries.
Sharing his experience after visiting the MCG, 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, PM Modi said the Melbourne Cricket Ground holds special significance for Indians because of the historic cricket rivalry and shared sporting culture 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.
While launching the roadmap alongside Albanese, PM Modi said sports had emerged as an important connection between India and Australia and the partnership would expand 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 both nations would focus on areas beyond sporting competitions, including training methods, research, and technological development.
"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 provide wider access to sports, PM Modi spoke about the impact of the Khelo India programme in identifying and supporting emerging talent.
"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."
He added that future international events would create more opportunities for collaboration between India and Australia.
"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 was part of Prime Minister Modi's three-day visit to Australia and reflected efforts by both countries to expand cooperation beyond traditional areas such as trade and defence.
The newly launched India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap is expected to strengthen partnerships in athlete training, coaching programmes, sports science, technology, infrastructure development, and knowledge exchange.
