Providing platform for a meaningful dialogue on building a future-ready sports ecosystem in India through innovation, inclusion, and integrity, K J Somaiya Institute of Management (KJSIM) in association with the Indian Sport Management Association (INSMA) on Dec 19 hosted a Sports Management conference themed ’Shaping the Future of Sport in India: Innovation, Inclusion & Integrity’ at Somaiya Vidyavihar campus. The event brought together industry veterans, professionals, and MBA Sports Management students to explore innovation, inclusion, and integrity as critical drivers for India’s sports ecosystem.
Dr Sarthak Mondal, President, INSMA said, “The vision of INSMA is to bridge the world of academia and industry in Indian sport— the conference was a great step with over 175 attendees from 20+ cities and 8 countries across the world. We look forward to innovating with integrity and industry partners better!”
Dr Christos Anagnostopoulos (UNESCO Chair on Governance and Social Responsibility in Sport) while delivering the keynote address provide very informative insights on the introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill 2024, offering actionable solutions for stakeholders to develop a robust, sustainable sports ecosystem. Drawing comparisons with global models like Norway, he underscored the importance of adopting legal and governance frameworks to address challenges and unlock India’s potential as a global sporting powerhouse. “For the rise of sports in India, the critical need for good governance and ethical practices within national sports federations is there,” he added.
Additional keynotes and discussions featured included:
- Pradyot Sharma (International Sport and Culture Association) and Aman Jain (IOS Sports & Entertainment) discussed innovation and regulatory frameworks driving inclusion and integrity in sports.
- Mr Vijayaraghavan Venugopal (Co-founder, Fast & Up), explored the evolution of India’s sports industry, sports branding, and its role in nation-building.
- Mr Aditya Datta (Founder, Impetus Sports) and Mr Ramakrishnan R (Co-founder, Baseline Ventures), shared insights on sports marketing, branding, and fan engagement.
A panel discussion with Prof Meena Barot (K J Somaiya Institute of Management), Dr Sandhya Manjunath (James Madison University), Dr Shiny Raizada (Symbiosis School of Sport Sciences), and Neel Shah (Global Institute of Sports Business) explored governance, education, and innovation in sports management.
Additionally, 31 research papers were presented by students and professionals on topics ranging from gender pay gaps in sports to motorsports in India, governance policies, and women empowerment through sports.
