AFL and India strengthen sports diplomacy in Melbourne roundtable

• BY India News Newsdesk
• August 15, 2025
• 0 COMMENTS

Melbourne, August 1 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

Efforts to use sport as a cultural bridge between India and Australia took centrestage at the India-Australia Sports Roundtable, held at AFL House in Melbourne. The event brought together influential leaders from both nations’ sports, government, and business communities.

Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar represented India at the gathering, which was jointly organised by the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR). Key participants included AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, Acting CEO of CAIR Cal McGuirk, DFAT’s First Assistant Secretary Sarah Storey, and Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains.

The roundtable explored ways to engage the Indian diaspora in Australia through AFL and discussed potential collaborations to introduce the sport to Indian audiences. The discussions highlighted the growing role of sport in enhancing bilateral ties and fostering deeper community connections.