The annual export turnover of this
industry is over Rs 206 crores. The industry is mainly concentrated in
Meerut and Jalandhar. The sports goods industry in India has witnessed a
phenomenal growth over the past five decades and now occupies a place of
prominence in the Indian economy in view of its massive potential for
employment, growth and export.
There has been an increasing emphasis on its planned development, aimed
at optimal utilization of resources for maximizing the returns,
particularly from exports. The export of sports goods has gained
momentum particularly in the last decade and achieved an impressive
growth reaching an export figure of Rs.217.51 crores (US$ 61.27 million)
during 1996-97.
Major Export Items
India is one of the largest exporters of inflatable balls, cricket
bats, hockey sticks and balls, boxing equipment, fishing equipment,
Equipment for sports like indoor games like carom and chess boards and
different types of protective equipment. The total Indian domestic
market for various sports goods items is estimated to be around Rs170
crores of which cricket-related equipment alone accounts for 70% of the
total market.
The largest component of export is inflatable balls, which accounts for
50.6 % of total exports of sports goods, followed by cricket bats (8.4
%) and gymnasium equipment (7.3 %).
India also imports sports goods, particularly gym and athletic
equipment. In 1997-98, India's imports were about Rs 30 crores. The
Indian sports goods industry manufactures 318 items.
Major Export Destinations
The countries where Indian sports goods are imported are the United
Kingdom, Australia, the United States of America, Italy, Germany, South
Africa, France, New Zealand, Netherlands and several Asian countries.
The Indian sports goods industry manufactures 318 items.
