Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home and Sports, Harsh Sanghavi, has rolled out the red carpet for sports startups, inviting them to set up manufacturing units in the state. He envisions Gujarat becoming a “sports manufacturing hub” and assures full government support to make it happen.
Sanghavi’s offer to startups is twofold:
- Establishment of manufacturing plants: He promises assistance in securing investments and navigating the setup process. Startups can then operate from their preferred locations, even outside Gujarat.
- Family-like support: The government wants to partner with startups, pitch for their success, and help them overcome hurdles. This includes financial aid as well as manufacturing expertise.
The call to action comes amid concerns about India’s sports ecosystem. Ashwini Kumar, the state’s Principal Secretary for Sports, acknowledges the lack of focused efforts to promote sports despite its immense potential for job creation, technology disruption, and societal impact.
He emphasizes the need for a robust ecosystem to cater to the unique requirements of both sports and startups. This is where esports emerges as a potential solution. Subhayu Roy, director of Cricviz India, points out that traditional sports are losing ground among younger audiences in major cities. Esports, however, is gaining traction as an “entry-level drug” to bring them back.
imish Raut, global head of Nodwin Gaming, goes even further, claiming that esports is fast becoming the “second largest sport in the country after cricket.” This growing popularity bodes well for the future of esports and its potential to contribute to the envisioned sports manufacturing hub in Gujarat.
In essence, Sanghavi’s invitation is a two-pronged approach:
- Attract sports startups to set up manufacturing units in Gujarat.
- Leverage the burgeoning esports industry to boost the sports ecosystem.
Whether this ambitious plan comes to fruition remains to be seen. However, the government’s proactive approach and the growing popularity of esports offer promising signs for the future of sports manufacturing in Gujarat.
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