Consulate General of India

Women in Sport: Powering Australia–India Connections

6 March 2026

• Senator the Hon Nita Green, Senator for QLD, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs

• Senator Varun Ghosh, Senator for WA, Chair of Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Deputy Chair of Environment and Communications References Committee

• Zaneta Mascarenhas MP, Member for Swan, Chair of Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights

• Dr Parwinder Kaur MLC, Deputy Chair of Committees

• Chad Anderson, Director General, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport

• John Stephenson, CEO, WA Cricket

• Gail McGowan PSM, Board Director, WA Cricket

• Shirley Elliot, Board Director, WA Cricket

• Vanessa Guthrie AO, Deputy Chair, Cricket Australia

• Sherif Andrews, Chairman, Football West

• Jamie Harnwell, CEO, Football West

• Sally Carbon, Deputy Chair, Hockey Australia,

• Gary McGrath, Director, Hockey Australia

• Simon Taylor, CEO, Rugby WA

• Fabian Ross, CEO, Basketball WA

• Cal McGuirk, Acting CEO, Centre for Australia-India Relations

Kaya, Namaste and a very Good Morning,

I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, and pay my respects to their Elders-past, present and emerging.

It is a pleasure and an honour to join you today at this opportune event celebrating Women in Sport: Powering Australia–India Connections. I extend my thanks to the Centre for Australia India Relations and the Government of Western Australia for convening this gathering.

The presence of both the Indian Women’s Cricket Team and Football Team here in Perth is a powerful reminder of the coming of age of women in sports, and allows us to witness their talent, dedication, and passion in a field that continues to be dominated by men. And what better timing than around International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Sport has a unique ability to transcend borders and to unite communities. The increasing prominence of women in sport reflects not just a shift in the athletic arena, but a broader societal movement, one that values equality, opportunity, and the empowerment of women. By supporting women athletes, we invest in the future of our societies and our economies.

Over the past two decades, Indian women athletes have not merely participated in global competitions, they have redefined excellence, resilience, and leadership. They have broken stereotypes, challenged societal barriers, and placed India firmly on the world sporting map.

Today, when we speak of India as an emerging sporting nation, much of that recognition is owed to our remarkable women athletes.

In cricket, a sport deeply woven into India’s cultural fabric, our women have scripted history.

• Mithali Raj became the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket with 7,805 ODI runs, 2,364 T20I runs, and 699 Test runs. She has emerged as a symbol of grace and consistency for over two decades.

• Harmanpreet Kaur stunned the world with her historic 171* against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semifinal, a knock that transformed global perception of Indian women’s cricket.

• Smriti Mandhana continues to be recognized internationally for her elegant stroke play and leadership.

Football in India has traditionally faced infrastructure challenges, yet our women have persevered.

• Bala Devi made history by becoming the first Indian woman to sign a professional contract with a European club, Rangers FC in Scotland. Her journey symbolizes courage and ambition, inspiring young girls across India to pursue football professionally.

Hockey holds a special place in India’s sporting history, and

• Rani Rampal, captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, led the squad to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics their best-ever Olympic performance.

This achievement built upon recent successes by the Indian Men’s Hockey team to bring the spotlight back on hockey in India as a force to reckon with.

In boxing, Indian women have emerged as global powerhouses.

• Mary Kom, a six-time world champion and Olympic medallist, became an international icon of determination and perseverance.

• Nikhat Zareen has carried that legacy forward with World Championship titles, reinforcing India’s dominance in women’s boxing.

Their achievements have not only earned medals but have inspired policy reforms and grassroots development in women’s sports.

Some of the upcoming sports events in India will take this forward to new strengths. Ahmedabad, India, has been officially confirmed as the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, acting as a pivotal step in the nation's ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A 300 plus delegation from India will participate in the 2027 World Police & Fire Games to be hosted in Perth. The closing ceremony will see India taking over as the hosts of the 2029 edition of the WPFG.

Today’s gathering is an ideal platform to exchange insights and explore how Australia and India can work together to harness the growing opportunities in women’s sport. From nurturing grassroots talent to enhancing international competitions, from economic partnerships to cultural exchange, the potential is vast.

Once again, thank you for inviting me to be part of this important dialogue. I look forward to hearing the discussions and celebrating the power of sport in connecting our nations.

Thank you.

The rising economic profile of India has led to investments by government in sports infrastructure and commercial endorsements by the private sector. This has in turn seen an immediate rise in the success of Indians at international sporting events. India is also home to the world’s largest youth population, with nearly 65% of its citizens under the age of 35. Increasing opportunities in sports as well as this demographic advantage positions India to emerge as the world’s largest sporting market and participation base over the coming decades.

India's sports market is projected to grow to US$130 billion by 2030 from US$52 billion in 2024, accelerating at a CAGR of 14%. India exported sports goods worth US$ 400.1 million in FY25. India, the third-largest manufacturer in Asia, has become a big participant in the athletic goods market. India exports a wide range of athletic items to over 200 nations, including the US, China, the UK, and Australia. Items include inflatable balls, general exercise equipment, cricket gear, clothing, and more.