BRICS Declaration 2026 Highlights Sports as a Catalyst for Social Development

Significance of Sports in BRICS Declaration

During the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, the 2026 BRICS Declaration underscored the vital role of sports in fostering social development, enhancing people-to-people interactions, and promoting active and healthy communities.

Collaboration in Sports Through BRICS Games

The declaration expressed support for the BRICS Sports Working Group and the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on sports collaboration.

It acknowledged the BRICS Games as a significant platform for cooperation across various sports, including high-performance, recreational, traditional, indigenous, and non-Olympic sports, while celebrating the unique diversity of BRICS nations.

The declaration encouraged increased youth and student involvement in popular, national, traditional, and indigenous sports, urging member countries to enhance cooperation in this domain.

Upcoming BRICS Games in Ahmedabad

Scheduled for October 12-13, 2026, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the BRICS Games aim to showcase and preserve the rich traditional and indigenous sporting heritage of member countries.

Designed as a non-competitive and culturally enriching initiative, the Games will promote cultural exchange, strengthen interpersonal connections, and foster mutual understanding among participants.

The event will also encourage voluntary engagement among athletes, practitioners, and experts from the member nations, guided by principles of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.

Advancing Sports Technology and Manufacturing

The declaration welcomed the initiative to host a BRICS Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave aimed at enhancing collaboration in sports manufacturing, research, and innovation.

It recognized the growing significance of technology in enhancing sports performance, athlete welfare, governance, and inclusion, supporting the establishment of a Working Group on Sports Technology.

Furthermore, it encouraged dialogue on the BRICS Sports Cooperation Framework, looking forward to its continued development through established consultation processes among member states.

Support for the Sports Manufacturing Conclave

India's proposal to host the inaugural BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in November 2026 received widespread backing.

This Conclave will serve as a platform for sharing best practices, technologies, and innovations, promoting quality standards, and strengthening intra-BRICS trade.

It aims to create resilient and sustainable supply chains by bringing together key stakeholders from the sports manufacturing ecosystem, including manufacturers, exporters, investors, technology providers, SMEs, start-ups, and research institutions.