March 25, 2025
The future of sports management in India is being redefined by visionary organisations like India On Track (IOT), a pioneer in sports management, education, and training. With a mission to nurture young talent and create world-class athletes, IOT is paving the way for a new era in sports development across the country. By providing state-of-the-art training programs, partnering with top-tier sports institutions, and offering career opportunities in sports, IOT is leading the charge in transforming how sports management operates in India.
Since 2013, India On Track, under its Chief Coach, has been innovatively spearheading ideas that redefine sports in India, zeroing in on infrastructural lacunae in training and management. "Our vision is to make India a sports powerhouse of the world. We are here to bring best-in-class training programs all over the country," declares Vivek Sethia, Founder and CEO of India On Track. Central to this strategy is leadership provided by Sethia, who has aimed to integrate international standards for sports management with local expertise, in shaping the future sports management for the country.
India On Track's approach ensures that it works with the athletes, coaches, and educational institutions to bring an all-rounded benefit to the sports ecosystem at each level. Its initiatives are not just for nurturing athletic talent but also to fit the professionals so that they can manage and grow the business of sports in India.
On strategic partnerships, one core way IOT is restructuring the future management of sports is by partnering with world-renowned sports organisations. For instance, IOT partners with international clubs such as LaLiga and NBA. This takes global training methodologies into Indian athletes' hands. These associations led to giving young sportspeople the opportunity to access the best training, as well as exposed them to front-end sports management practices.
Bringing football and basketball to the country through LaLiga Football Schools and NBA Basketball Schools has positively impacted thousands of young athletes all over India. In addition to developing players, IOT focuses on education for coaches, referees, and sports managers too. "We want to build an ecosystem where not just athletes but every person involved with sports; be it the manager or the coach has international levels of expertise and opportunities." says Sethia.
By establishing these international standards, IOT sets a benchmark for sports management in India and serves as an important catalyst in shaping the future of sports management in the country.
IOT's contribution to the future of sports management in India is multi-dimensional. It goes way beyond imparting training to athletes. The institutes launched many programs to enable local talent through education and skills. The specialised courses in sports management offered by India On Track Institute of Sports Management (IISM) will bring forth an entirely new generation of professionals who can take Indian sports to the next level.
"The need for the sports manager is on the rise, and we are here to bridge the gap. Through IISM, we are laying a strong foundation for the future as we educate students regarding every side of the sports environment—be it marketing, operations, analytics, or event management." said the IOT team.
These programs bring experience working with actual real-life projects. This gives students the opportunity to interact with live sports events, thus gathering crucial industry insights. Not only will they enhance their practical knowledge but also grow ready to rise up in managerial positions in an ever-changing sports management landscape. The courses offered at IISM are well in line with what the sports industry requires and demands, further evidence of IOT's commitment towards shaping the future of sports management in India.
IOT strongly focuses on grassroots sports development within its charter. India On Track states that a bottom-up approach is the basic foundational level for a strong sports ecosystem. IOT has been successful in taking structured education in sports to grassroots levels through various training programs, workshops, and collaborations with schools and colleges.
It is, therefore, a gateway to the future of sports management in India, as quality training and sufficient resources will be available to any young athlete from any socio-economic stratum. IOT covers an extensive range of sports—football and basketball to tennis and golf—within its programs so that no talent is left untouched.
"India On Track is not just about developing elite athletes but also ensuring that every child has a chance to dream, learn, and succeed in sports," quoted one of the senior coaches. This was done with a holistic approach on the pipeline of sports talent in India, considering physical training as well as mental conditioning to develop character.
Another area where IOT is making a leap for the future in managing sports is by embracing cutting-edge technology. In today's digital world, technology assumes importance in optimising player performance, analysing game strategies, and managing sports events. India On Track recognizes this trend and has ushered technology into sports programs.
From using performance analytics tools to enhance the training of athletes, to having virtual platforms for e-learning, IOT ensures that technology is always at the heart of its approach to sports management. "We believe that technology is going to shape the future of sports. By integrating advanced analytics and tech platforms, we are equipping our athletes and managers with tools that will drive success," Sethia explains.
That would definitely go a long way for the future of sports management in India into streamlined operations, self-improvement metrics, and a more streamlined sporting ecosystem.
The other hallmark of India On Track is sustainability. The organisation not only supports green practices within its sports management courses but also holds a clean, healthy sporting environment for the future generation. In that regard, starting with the development of eco-friendly sports stadiums, IOT also aspires to promote green practices in all the events related to sports.
India On Track is playing an important role in shaping sports management in India, and they focus on their four streams: international partnerships, grassroots development, sports education, and technological innovation. Such a multifaceted approach not only sees the growth of fine athletic talent today but also prepares for the sports leaders of tomorrow. With strategic initiatives and a relentless pursuit of excellence that India On Track comes up with, the Indian sports ecosystem will certainly evolve, and the country will emerge as a force to be reckoned with internationally in terms of sports management.
This impact will be even more significant in the future for India On Track as regards sports management in India, given the growing demand for skilled sports managers. It is from that vision and initiation that IOT is really shaping the future of sports in India.
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