BRICS ministers adopt joint declaration in Visakhapatnam, pledge practical cooperation
Visakhapatnam — The BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Visakhapatnam with all member countries adopting a BRICS Sports Joint Declaration by consensus, organisers reported on August 23, 2026. The meeting, held under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, advanced a slate of initiatives focused on youth development, inclusion, sports technology and cultural exchange.
The gathering in Visakhapatnam produced concrete proposals intended to move beyond formal statements to operational collaboration in sport. Chief among these was a proposal to establish a BRICS Working Group on Sports Technology, which aims to foster cooperation in sports science, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and athlete performance, the report said.
- BRICS Working Group on Sports Technology — to promote joint research and technology exchange in areas including sports science and AI.
- BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave — India’s proposal received broad support; inaugural conclave proposed for Udaipur in November.
- Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games — set to be held in Ahmedabad in October to showcase cultural sporting heritage.
Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya urged that the new partnership “move beyond declarations” and translate into practical measures such as athlete and coach exchanges, joint competitions and knowledge sharing, according to the official report of the meeting.
“We must ensure the BRICS Sporting Partnership leads to practical cooperation through athlete and coach exchanges, joint competitions and knowledge sharing,” said Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, as reported.
Delegates at the Visakhapatnam meeting also endorsed India’s idea for a BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave, intended as a platform for manufacturers, investors, technology companies and research institutions to exchange expertise and promote innovation in the sports supply chain. The inaugural edition is proposed for Udaipur in November, the statement noted.
| Initiative | Proposed location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| BRICS Working Group on Sports Technology | - | Sports science, AI, digital transformation, athlete performance |
| BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave | Udaipur (proposed, Nov) | Manufacturing, investment, innovation |
| Traditional & Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games | Ahmedabad (proposed, Oct) | Showcasing traditional sports, cultural exchange |
Organisers framed the Ahmedabad demonstration games as an opportunity to showcase the sporting heritage of BRICS countries and to strengthen people-to-people ties. The Visakhapatnam meeting emphasised youth development and inclusion as cross-cutting priorities for future cooperation.
While the declaration outlines a forward-looking agenda, the report stresses that implementation will depend on follow-up mechanisms and sustained engagement among the BRICS sports administrations. The proposals in Visakhapatnam envisage operational steps — working groups, conclaves and demonstration events — intended to convert high-level consensus into activities with tangible outcomes for athletes, coaches and the sports industry.
Participants in Visakhapatnam signalled support for knowledge sharing across sports science and technology, including the use of artificial intelligence for athlete monitoring and performance enhancement. The meeting also recommended increased exchanges of coaches and athletes among BRICS countries to broaden competitive exposure and capacity-building.
The successful conclusion of the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting in Visakhapatnam cements the city’s role as a host for international sports diplomacy under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship, and sets out a calendar of proposed events and working groups aimed at deeper collaboration among member nations.
