Meerut, Uttar Pradesh : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, has launched SportEdge Meerut (Sports and Entrepreneurship Development for Growth & Excellence) — a flagship programme aimed at transforming Meerut into a global sports hub and strengthening India’s sports goods manufacturing ecosystem.
Collaborative Effort for Growth
SportEdge Meerut is being developed in partnership with the Sports, Physical Education, Fitness & Leisure Skills Council (SPEFL‑SC), the British Asian India Foundation (BAIF), and NEST. Together, these organizations will drive evidence‑based learning, improve operations management, and pool CSR resources to support the sports cluster. The initiative will directly empower more than 5,000 nano‑entrepreneurs through targeted investments and capacity‑building programmes.
Minister’s Address
Speaking at the launch, Chaudhary emphasized that sport is not only about medals but also about discipline, confidence, and enterprise. He noted that with India preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and athletes excelling in global arenas, it is crucial for the manufacturing ecosystem to match this momentum. He added that SportEdge will provide artisans, enterprises, and youth in Meerut with access to modern skills, technology, and international markets, enabling the sports goods industry to compete globally.
Strategic Pillars of SportEdge
The initiative is built on four key pillars:
- Industry & Market Assessment: Studying Meerut’s sports industry and learning from successful hubs to expand exports.
- Sustainable Livelihoods & Entrepreneurship: Strengthening women‑led nano‑enterprises and local supply chains with better access to finance.
- Developing Local Talent: Partnering with schools and academies to identify priority sports and create dedicated development plans.
- Gender Equity: Ensuring women are central to enterprise development and sporting opportunities.
Empowering Women & Entrepreneurs
SportEdge aims to position Meerut as India’s leading sports manufacturing hub by supporting 1,000 women‑led nano enterprises to scale up and formalize operations. The programme targets a 25% increase in real income levels and ensures a minimum annual earning of ₹1 lakh per entrepreneur, while improving access to credit for long‑term sustainability.
Centre of Excellence in Sports Goods Manufacturing
Later in the day, Shri Chaudhary inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Sports Goods Manufacturing at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. Focused initially on badminton racket production, the CoE will serve as a state‑of‑the‑art training and manufacturing facility. It will equip youth and artisans with advanced technical skills, improve product design and quality standards, and encourage greater participation of women in skilled manufacturing roles.
Strengthening Infrastructure & Community Participation
Local MPs and legislators will contribute from their Local Area Development Funds to enhance sports infrastructure in Meerut. This grassroots investment will help create quality facilities, encourage community participation, and promote a stronger sporting culture across districts.
