India Welcomed into Sports Ecosystem, Says Australia's High Commissioner

Strengthening Ties Through Sports and Education

Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, recently emphasized the growing significance of sports in both education and the economy. During a session titled "Diplomacy beyond Delhi: Fostering Sports and Culture Ties" at the 9th Talk Journalism in Jaipur, Green highlighted the potential for collaboration between Australia and India to create a more robust sports ecosystem. This initiative aims to generate business and employment opportunities for young people.

In Australia, sports are deeply integrated into the school curriculum. Moreover, many Australian universities offer specialized disciplines such as sports science, sports medicine, athlete training, physiotherapy, sports business, marketing, security, and sports as a commercial endeavor. Green pointed out that these fields present a promising future for young individuals, with significant job and career prospects.

The Australian government has made substantial investments in sports education and infrastructure, which have contributed to the country's success in international sporting events. Green noted that this success is partly due to the support provided to a strong sports ecosystem. He expressed willingness to involve India in similar initiatives, emphasizing the mutual benefits for both nations.

The event aimed to enhance diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties through shared interests in sports and education. As part of broader efforts to strengthen people-to-people connections, Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, announced 34 recipients of this year's Maitri Grants, Fellowships, and Scholarships. These programs underscore Australia's commitment to fostering educational and professional exchanges between the two countries.

The Maitri Grants, administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, focus on supporting greater exchange and collaboration across technology, business, education, and culture. The grants aim to cultivate deeper connections between the two nations. Specific projects include:

• The Lowy Institute's first-ever India Chair, which will enhance research and discussions about India's role as a major power in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Best-practice playbooks by Asialink Business to support collaboration, capability training, and the sharing of successful partnership models in cleantech and agtech.
• A world-class exhibition featuring rare artworks by renowned Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.
• An incubator of untold narratives from Australia's South Asian diasporas that will showcase Australia-Indian experiences to global screen audiences, led by Bodhi Studios.

The 2024-2025 Maitri Grants include 13 scholarships supporting innovative research across fields like quantum computing technologies and clean energy solutions, as well as three fellowships dedicated to exploring opportunities between Australia and India.

The statement emphasized that Australia and India's relationship is closer and more important than ever. It highlighted the deepening cooperation across priority sectors vital to both nations' futures, including defense, trade, education, and technology.

Recipients of the 2025 Maitri Grants will support connections and research across various sectors, including innovation, enterprise, education, and culture. Administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, the Maitri grants encourage innovative projects and partnerships that reflect the dynamism of the bilateral relationship, fostering long-term connections.

Welcoming the announcement, Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, stated that the relationship between Australia and India is stronger, deeper, and more consequential than ever. He emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections in binding the two nations and noted that the Maitri Grants program helps unlock the full potential of their bilateral relationship.

Green congratulated the recipients and looked forward to seeing how their work fosters deeper links between Australia and India.