PA/12/16 26 February 2016
Australia and India partner to strengthen sporting capabilities
Officials from the Australian Sports Commission and Victoria University today begin a mission to promote sports cooperation with India.
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.
In Mumbai, Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport representatives will participate in a sports hackathon with Zone Startups.
Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner, Chris Elstoft, said Australian institutions had attained international acclaim in sports administration and training.
“Australia’s international sporting reputation and credentials are well known, but we are also recognised for the delivery of sports education and technical expertise that countries like India can take advantage of,” Mr Elstoft said.
“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.”
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 complementarity 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.
Victoria University is a leading Australian sports university based in Melbourne, while the Australian Sports Commission is Australia’s primary national sports administration and advisory agency.