New Delhi, : A landmark industry report titled “India’s Sports Startup Ecosystem: Current Status and Emerging Pathways” was unveiled by Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, at the office of the Sports Authority of India.
The report has been commissioned by the Association for Sports Industry Professionals (ASIP) in collaboration with the Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad and presents an overview of India’s emerging sports startup ecosystem, highlighting early trends, innovation clusters and opportunities for future growth.
The study was led by Kanishka Pandey, faculty member and Head of the Centre for Sports Research and Development at IMT Ghaziabad and Board Member of ASIP. Research work for the report began in June 2025 and it marks the first industry publication released by ASIP.
Speaking on the occasion, Rao said the initiative would help strengthen India’s sports sector through research and collaboration. “This report offers useful insights that can benefit the sports ecosystem, and the ministry will explore how its findings can support ongoing and future initiatives,” he said.
Shaji Prabhakaran, Founder and President of ASIP, described the publication as a milestone for the organisation and the broader sports industry in India. He said the report reflects ASIP’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven sports ecosystem that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.
Pandey said the study attempts to capture the early contours of India’s sports startup ecosystem through a research-based approach. “Our objective was to provide insights that can help policymakers, investors and industry professionals better understand the opportunities in this emerging sector,” he said.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by Neeraj Jha, Secretary General of ASIP; ASIP Board Member Munish Rao; and research assistant Anjali Giri from IMT Ghaziabad, among others.
ASIP is a national body working to strengthen India’s sports industry through policy advocacy, professional development and collaboration among stakeholders, while IMT Ghaziabad is a leading management institute known for its academic research and industry engagement.
