The Ministry of Textiles in partnership with Indian Technical Textiles Association (ITTA) and Wool Research Association (WRA) organized a full-day National Conclave on Sportech on the theme “The Future of Sport Textiles and Accessories Industry in India”, on 2nd June 2023 at Shangri-La Eros Hotel, New Delhi.

There were technical sessions in the conclave focusing on Market size, Gaps, Experience and Expectations of consumers towards adoption of Indian Sports Textiles, Sports Goods and Accessories: Coated fabrics, Nets, Leather and Rubber Products, Innovations & Research in Composites and Smart Textiles and Design, Branding & Quality in the Value Chain.

More than 300 participants attended the conclave including Officials and Representatives from Central Ministries, user Departments (sportech) of Central and State Governments, Institutes, industry  leaders,  scientific  experts, researchers, and professionals related to technical textiles especially Sportech along with around 16 exhibitors.

Chief Guest, Smt Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles & Railways, Government of India, highlighted that India is an emerging player in sports textiles, with tremendous scope for growth in the coming years.

She mentioned that the government has significant focus on creating sports culture in India through its flagship schemes such as Khelo India, Fit India Movement, Target Olympic Podium Scheme, etc. This would support in enhancing the penetration of sports textiles in the country. Further, the factors such as rising health consciousness and increasing sports events being organized in India are also fostering the demand for sports goods and sports textiles. She highlighted that the recent initiative of Indian apparel & footwear sizing has been a significant step in sports and footwear industry.

She mentioned that Ministry of Textiles, under NTTM, is in continuous process of discussion with the concerned  ministries  regarding  enhancing  the  usage  of the technical textile items within their respective domains. Recently, Ministry of Textiles convened a meeting to explore the possibility of increasing the usage of technical textiles in the Railways sector for yielding significant results in this direction.

She urged various stakeholders to put forward their valuable inputs, which would pave way for creating a concrete roadmap for the future of sportech industry in India.

Smt  Rachna  Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, stated that the government is working to make India a hub for the technical textiles. Our flagship interventions such as National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, PM Mitra Park initiative, among others are focused towards increasing the scale, size and integration of textiles and technical textiles in India.

She highlighted that the growing interest in sporting activities, health consciousness among people, rising demand of athleisure, among others have been creating a huge potential for sports goods, sports textiles and accessories

Shri. Rajesh Kr. Pathak, Secretary, Technology Development Board, highlighted that there is a need to facilitate and have confidence on various scientists and researchers working on product and  technology  development  in  technical textiles, including sportech. This will catalyze the development  of  entire ecosystem of technical textiles in India. Indian industry has to realise that their major competitors are not the domestic counterparts, but the international companies and thus their product quality & usage have to be superior to what is already present in the market. He mentioned that the Technology Development Board has been in forefront for supporting the deep tech companies, to bring innovative products in the Indian market.

Shri. Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, highlighted that India’s Technical Textiles market has a huge potential backed by a significant growth rate of 10%, increased penetration level of 9-10% and placement as the 5th largest technical textiles market in the world. At this juncture, Ministry of Textiles’ National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) is working towards enhancing the usage/demand of technical textiles, enhancing the awareness & know-how, facilitating product & machinery development, and conducting segment specific conferences, with the overall objective of creating adequate ecosystem of technical textiles in India.

He highlighted that India’s sportech market at around  USD  1.17  million  is minimal as compared to country’s population size. Therefore, focus should be on developing this sector to meet domestic needs  with  indigenously  produced quality sports textile products & accessories. PM Mitra presents a  great opportunity in this regard wherein technical  textiles  companies  could  set-up their plants in plug-n-play mode.

Smt. Shubhra, Trade Advisor, Ministry of Textiles, highlighted that the  recent years have witnessed the birth of many Indian brands in sports sector, however, most of these brands are into athleisure market, thus, need of the hour  is  to expand the focus of these brands towards high performance specialized sports textile materials.

Smt. Roop Rashi, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, highlighted that there is a need for creating synergy amongst various stakeholders in sportech sector, including Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, sports industry, among others.