Australia joins forces with India to bolster sporting capabilities

The Australian Sports Commission and Victoria University have joined forces with India in order to strengthen sporting capabilities between both the countries.

A delegation, led by Professor Hans Westerbeek, Dean of the College of Sport and Exercise Science at Victoria University, will explore potential partnerships with government and business in sports administration, training, sport sciences and education.

Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport representatives will participate in a sports hackathon with Zone Startups in Mumbai.

Speaking on the mission, Australia's Deputy High Commissioner, Chris Elstoft, said that Australian institutions had attained international acclaim in sports administration and training and that countries like India could take the advantage of their sports education and technical expertise.

"Victoria University, through its Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living has been particularly active in India, looking at 'whole of sport system advancement' and engaging with state governments to develop skills and capabilities to enhance sports participation, sports management and elite sport science," he said.

A focus of the visit to Delhi and Mumbai will be the presentation of a report by Victoria University to the Government of India, which highlights areas of natural complimentarily and collaboration in sport.

The report was developed over a series of workshops with Indian Central and state government officials in Delhi and Kerala, and with the participation of Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The report was funded by the Australian Government's Australia-India Council.