**Policy Summary: SPORTSCOM Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025**
On August 25, 2025, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, led by Minister of State Smt. Raksha Khadse, convened the SPORTSCOM Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025 in New Delhi. The event, organized by SPORTSCOM, aimed to foster innovation and investment in the Indian sports ecosystem to establish India as a Sporting Superpower.
Key objectives of the conclave included promoting transparent governance, investing in grassroots talent, and leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs). Minister Khadse emphasized the critical importance of early exposure to sports science for athletes, advocating for increased Research & Development (R&D) in sports science, particularly in rural areas, along with improved training for teachers and coaches. She also stressed the need for high-quality, domestically produced sports equipment ("Made in India") to reduce import dependence. Further, she encouraged the utilization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for sports development.
The conclave featured discussions on an "Investment Playbook" for sports startups, the "Make in India for the World" initiative, and the role of data and analytics in shaping India's sporting future. Topics also included how to make sports a true "Jan Andolan" (people's movement) and a model for economic development. The event highlighted the importance of boosting sports manufacturing, investments, and technology, aligning with national schemes like "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat".
The event included participation from key stakeholders such as Mr. Jalaj Dani (President of SPORTSCOM), Mr. Alok Pandey (CEO, AIC IIT Delhi), Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula (Head, Center of Excellence on Sports Science and Analytics, IIT Madras), Mr. Rishikesh Joshi, and Mr. Vivek Singh (Senior Vice President of SPORTSCOM). Minister Khadse also felicitated ten young entrepreneurs representing startups: Crosstrain Fight Club, A1 Sports World, Pong Fox, UpUr Fit, Way Me, Lets Game Now, Collearn Sports, Spolto, Hyperlab, and Dashpod.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The Indian government ministry responsible for youth affairs and sports.
Raksha Khadse: Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports in India.
SPORTSCOM Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025: A conclave focused on investment, sports science, manufacturing, and the scaling of sports startups to make India a Sporting Superpower.
New Delhi: The location of the Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025 event, held at the ShangriLa Eros Hotel.
Sports Science: The application of scientific principles and techniques to enhance athletic performance, crucial for nurturing future champions.
Make in India: A national initiative by the Government of India to encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependency.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A national scheme by the Government of India focused on making India self-reliant.
Public Private Partnership: PPP models urged for adoption in the sports sector to foster investment and development.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
"Golden Years Lost Without Early Sports Science
Exposure": MoS Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse
Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports urges
startups to invest in sports science to nurture future
champions, at SPORTSCOM “Giving Wings to
Dreams Conclave 2025"
Posted On: 25 AUG 2025 5:57PM by PIB Delhi
Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, inaugurated the ‘Giving Wings to
Dreams Conclave 2025’ at the Shangri-La Eros Hotel in New Delhi today. The event organized by
SPORTSCOM was conceived as a platform where innovation meets opportunity, with the shared goal of
making India a ‘Sporting Superpower’. It brought together key stakeholders to discuss the future of the Indian
sports ecosystem, focusing on investment, sports science, manufacturing, and the scaling of sports startups.
The conclave marked a new chapter in fostering an ecosystem that prioritizes transparent governance, invests
in grassroots talent, and leverages public-private partnerships.
Smt. Raksha Khadse, who was the Chief Guest, stated in her address, “Golden years lost by athletes are lost,
if they are not exposed to Sports Science in early years”. She called for the sports sector to adopt Public-
Private Partnership (PPP) models and urged private players to invest in sports. She also emphasized the need
for increased Research & Development (R&D) in sports science, with a focus on extending these
advancements to rural areas and training teachers and coaches. The Minister stressed the importance ofphysical education and stated that sports talent must be upgraded through technology and training, aligning
with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Furthermore, she urged that sports equipment should be "Made in India" with best quality production to
reduce import dependency from foreign countries. Smt. Khadse also called for Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) funds to be utilized for sports, viewing it as a model for economic development and a
people’s movement.
The Minister was joined at the event by Mr. Jalaj Dani (President of SPORTSCOM), Mr. Alok Pandey (CEO
– AIC IIT Delhi), Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula (Head, Center of Excellence on Sports Science and Analytics,
IIT Madras), Mr. Rishikesh Joshi, and Mr. Vivek Singh (Senior Vice President of SPORTSCOM).
Additionally, ten young entrepreneurs who pitched their startups were felicitated by the Minister. These
startups were: Crosstrain Fight Club, A1 Sports World, Pong Fox, UpUr Fit, Way Me, Lets Game Now,
Collearn Sports, Spolto, Hyperlab, and Dashpod.
The event also included multiple plenary sessions. The discussions at the conclave focused on an "Investment
Playbook" for sports startups, the potential of the "Make in India for the World" initiative, and "Beyond
instinct: India’s Sporting Future in Data,” which highlighted the critical need for sports science and explored
how data and analytics can shape India's sporting future, new career paths, and gender equality. The event
also addressed how to make sports a true "Jan Andolan," a people's movement, and a model for economic
development. The conclave also aimed to boost sports manufacturing, investments, and technology, aligning
with national schemes like "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat".*****
Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander
(Release ID: 2160650)