The Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with the Indian Technical Textiles Association (ITTA) and the Wool Research Association (WRA), organized a full-day National Conclave on Sportech with the theme “The Future of Sport Textiles and Accessories Industry in India.” The conclave took place on 2nd June 2023 at the Shangri-La Eros Hotel in New Delhi.
The event featured technical sessions focusing on various aspects of the sportech industry, including market size, consumer expectations, innovations in composites and smart textiles, and the importance of design, branding, and quality in the value chain. Over 300 participants attended the conclave, including officials and representatives from central ministries, user departments, institutes, industry leaders, scientific experts, researchers, and professionals associated with technical textiles, particularly in the sportech field. Additionally, around 16 exhibitors showcased their products at the event.
Smt Darshana Vikram Jardosh, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles & Railways, Government of India, served as the Chief Guest and highlighted India’s emerging role in sports textiles. She emphasized the government’s focus on promoting sports culture through initiatives like Khelo India, Fit India Movement, and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. She also mentioned the recent initiative on Indian apparel and footwear sizing, which has been significant for the sports and footwear industry. Furthermore, she expressed the ministry’s efforts in enhancing the usage of technical textile items in various sectors, such as railways.
Smt Rachna Shah, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, emphasized the government’s vision to establish India as a hub for technical textiles. Key interventions like the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and PM Mitra Park initiative aim to increase the scale, size, and integration of textiles and technical textiles in India. She acknowledged the immense potential in the sports industry, driven by growing interest in sporting activities, health consciousness, and the demand for athleisure. She called for research, product development, innovation, and sustainability to capitalize on the opportunities and urged stakeholders to work together in creating an enabling environment for the growth of the sportech industry.
Other speakers at the conclave, including Shri. Rajesh Kr. Pathak, Secretary of the Technology Development Board, and Shri. Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, highlighted the importance of facilitating research and development in technical textiles, including sportech, and enhancing awareness and demand for these products in India. They emphasized the need for superior product quality to compete with international companies and discussed initiatives such as the National Technical Textiles Mission and PM Mitra as opportunities for the growth of the sportech sector.
The conclave aimed to create synergy among stakeholders in the sportech sector, including the Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the sports industry. The future demand for sportech products in India is expected to increase due to rising health consciousness, India’s hosting of the 2036 Olympics Games, and the government’s focus on developing the entire ecosystem of technical textiles.
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