PM Modi, Albanese Unveil Sports Roadmap; Australia Backs India’s 2036 Olympics Dream

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday unveiled.

The India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with Canberra extending its support to India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

The announcement came during a special event celebrating the sporting ties between the two countries, attended by Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan and Australian cricket legends Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said India was gearing up to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and was working towards bringing the Olympic Games to the country in 2036.

“India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. We are also striving to host the Olympics in India in 2036. Brisbane will host the Olympics in 2032. Sports infrastructure will be developed on a mega scale to host these global events,” Modi said.

Albanese reaffirmed Australia’s support for India’s Olympic ambitions, giving a significant boost to New Delhi’s campaign to stage the Summer Games for the first time.

India-Australia sports roadmap unveiled

The newly launched India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap aims to deepen cooperation in sports training, coaching, sports science, technology, infrastructure development and investment. It also proposes the launch of an India-Australia Youth Sports Festival to encourage greater exchanges between young athletes from both countries.

One of the biggest announcements under the initiative was that the opening match of Australia’s 2026-27 Big Bash League (BBL) season will be played at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium in December. The clash between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers will become the first official overseas T20 league match to be staged in India.

The Australian government said the fixture would headline a week-long ‘G’Day Namaste’ festival showcasing Australian culture, business and sporting collaborations across India.

Welcoming the move, Modi said hosting a BBL game in India would attract enormous interest.

“I am delighted that a Big Bash League match will be held in Chennai. For any sporting league, hosting an event in India guarantees extensive reach and viewership,” he said.

‘Sport is a pillar of India-Australia ties’

Highlighting cricket’s unique role in strengthening bilateral relations, Modi said sport had become one of the strongest pillars of the India-Australia partnership.

“For any Indian coming to the MCG, two emotions arise together. One is the thrill of an India-Australia cricket match, and the other is the realisation that in both our countries, cricket is not just a sport but a shared passion,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that the collaboration would extend well beyond cricket to promote cooperation across multiple sporting disciplines.

Referring to Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar, Modi said their careers embodied the qualities required to become champions.

“Talent, temperament and tenacity are the three qualities that create champions. Through this roadmap, India and Australia will strengthen cooperation not only in cricket but across a wide range of sports.”

Albanese: Sport strengthens partnership

Albanese described sport as a cornerstone of the India-Australia relationship and said the roadmap would focus on practical collaboration in capability building, research and technology.

“Australia and India are united by our love and passion for sport. This roadmap will strengthen cooperation in capability building, technology and research while also boosting trade, tourism and investment,” he said.

The two leaders later interacted with young athletes participating in exhibition events featuring cricket, kabaddi and Australian Rules football. Modi praised their enthusiasm, saying the contests felt “less like exhibition matches and more like auditions for future champions.”

The Ministry of External Affairs said the initiative reflects the growing role of sports, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with Australia’s backing of India’s 2036 Olympic bid marking another milestone in bilateral cooperation.