Australia and India have committed to expanding sports cooperation, a shared passion and rapidly growing economic opportunity for both nations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India, met in Melbourne today and announced that the opening Australian Men’s Big Bash League match will take place in Chennai in December this year.
This will be the first foreign cricket league to play in India.
The event will be the cornerstone of a week-long festival, called G’Day Namaste, to be held across India in December, featuring Australian cultural, business and sports events.
G’Day Namaste will promote Australia’s economic priorities outlined in A New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India.
Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Modi also announced the Roadmap on Sport Cooperation.
The Roadmap will leverage Australia’s experience and India’s ambitions to host major sporting events, creating opportunities to increase our trade, tourism and investment ties. It sets out priorities across capacity building, sports science and technology research, industry and investment.
The Roadmap will provide opportunities to deepen cooperation on major sporting events, as Australia prepares to host the 2032 Olympic Games and Paralympic and India prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, a landmark centenary event.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“Australia and India are united by our love and passion for sport.
“This sports roadmap will focus on practical priority areas such as capability building, technology and research to strengthen this cornerstone of our bilateral relationship.
“I am excited to expand cooperation with India on sport, which not only brings joy to Australians but boosts trade, tourism and investment.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell
“The Australia-India relationship is vital for our shared economic prosperity supporting farmers, jobs and businesses across Australia.
“Major sporting events are huge opportunities for Australian tourism, bringing tens of thousands of new tourists to our shores and this Roadmap will help us make the most of the green and gold decade”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport Anika Wells
“India and Australia share a significant and meaningful connection through sport, particularly cricket, and this roadmap will take that relationship to the next stage.
“The Australian sports ecosystem is actively sharing knowledge and expertise with our Indian counterparts, including through the Australian Sports Commission and our national sporting bodies.
“We are excited to further deepen that engagement as we count down to the Amdavad 2030 Commonwealth Games and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”