A landmark report titled “India’s Sports Startup Ecosystem: Current Status and Emerging Pathways” was formally unveiled on Monday by Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), at his office in the Sports Authority of India in New Delhi. The study was commissioned by the Association for Sports Industry Professionals (ASIP) in collaboration with the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad.
The report, led by Kanishka Pandey, Faculty and Head of the Centre for Sports Research & Development at IMT Ghaziabad and Board Member of ASIP, represents the first industry report published by ASIP. Research commenced in June 2025.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by Shaji Prabhakaran (Founder & President, ASIP), Neeraj Jha (Secretary General, ASIP), Kanishka Pandey, Munish Rao (Board Member, ASIP), and Anjali Giri (Research Assistant, IMT Ghaziabad).
The publication provides an overview of the current status of India’s sports startup ecosystem, identifies early trends and innovation hubs, and highlights opportunities for growth. It aims to serve as a reference for policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and sports development professionals.
Hari Ranjan Rao said, “I am encouraged to see the effort ASIP is making to strengthen India’s sports industry through research and collaboration. This report offers useful insights that will certainly benefit the sports sector, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will explore how these findings can support ongoing and future initiatives. I congratulate ASIP and IMT Ghaziabad for this meaningful contribution.”
Shaji Prabhakaran stated, “This report is a significant milestone for ASIP and for the broader sports industry in India. As our first publication, it reflects our commitment to nurturing a knowledge-led sports ecosystem that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. We are keen to go much deeper into the sports startup landscape in the coming months, and we look forward to working in active collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to undertake more detailed studies that can guide the sector’s growth. I extend my sincere appreciation to IMT Ghaziabad for their valuable partnership and to Dr. Kanishka Pandey for his exceptional leadership in driving this study.”
Kanishka Pandey said, “India’s sports startup ecosystem is at a promising stage, and this study captures its early contours with a research-oriented approach. Our objective was to provide insights that can help policymakers, investors, and industry professionals understand the opportunities ahead. I am grateful to ASIP for entrusting us with this important initiative and to my research team for their dedication.”
