New Delhi: Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting with a New Zealand delegation in New Delhi to expand India–New Zealand sports cooperation.
Officials from both countries discussed ways to strengthen collaboration between their sporting ecosystems. They also explored new initiatives ahead of the centenary of sporting ties in 2026.
The year will mark 100 years since the 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand. That historic visit marked one of the earliest sporting engagements between the two nations.
India’s delegation included Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Representatives from the Sports Authority of India, the Indian Olympic Association and national federations also attended.
Earlier in the day, Hari Ranjan Rao led a delegation-level discussion with New Zealand officials. During the talks, both sides identified priority sports for cooperation. These included rugby, rowing, canoeing, sailing, athletics and cycling.
Centenary programme to boost sports cooperation
New Zealand Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation Chris Bishop led the visiting delegation. It also included High Commissioner Patrick John Rata and former international cricketer Ross Taylor.
Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand, joined the delegation along with officials from Hockey New Zealand, Athletics New Zealand and Paralympics New Zealand.
Both countries discussed launching the India–New Zealand Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme 2026. The year-long initiative aims to expand sports development and strengthen sporting exchanges.
Officials also proposed an India–New Zealand Sports and Culture Week across cities in both countries. The event would bring together athletes, coaches and communities while celebrating indigenous sporting traditions.
In addition, both sides discussed joint training camps and coaching exchanges to strengthen high-performance sports. They also explored knowledge sharing in sports science, analytics and athlete performance systems.
Officials further examined the possibility of integrating New Zealand’s coach development framework into the curriculum of the National Institute of Sports in Patiala.
Both governments agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to oversee implementation of the cooperation framework. The group will nominate nodal officers and conduct periodic reviews of the initiatives.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and New Zealand to deepen sports cooperation and create new opportunities for athletes and coaches.
Had a wonderful meeting with Mr. Chris Bishop, Associate Minister of Sport and Recreation of New Zealand, today. We discussed ways to expand our bilateral sports cooperation.
We agreed that sports can be the lynchpin for strengthening the bond between our two peoples.
(And of… pic.twitter.com/XIlPfDMq7R
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) March 9, 2026
