In a groundbreaking turn of events, India’s sports sector witnessed an extraordinary transformation in 2023, propelled by the historic campaign at the Asian Games 2022. Achieving unprecedented milestones and flourishing across diverse disciplines, India’s athletes secured a record-breaking haul of 107 medals, with athletics standing out as a dominant force, constituting 20% of the total.
Punit Balan, Chairman and Managing Director of the Punit Balan Group (PBG), highlighted the monumental shift, stating, “Our strategic investments in over nine leagues have contributed to creating a thriving ecosystem for Olympic, indigenous, and non-Olympic sports in the country.” He emphasized the commitment to supporting athletes like Rutuja Bhosale, a PBG-backed tennis star who clinched a gold medal in mixed doubles tennis at the Asian Games.
The Union Budget further fueled the sports industry’s journey, allocating a record Rs 3397.32 Cr in the new FY 2023-24 Union Budget, with Khelo India securing a substantial Rs 1045 Cr in funding. Additionally, Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) marked a historic milestone by securing Series A funding, becoming the first Indian sports league to attract private equity investment.
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Tenzing Niyogi, CEO and League Commissioner of UKK outlined the league’s rise, stating, “The year 2023 was distinguished by historic milestones and remarkable achievements for indigenous sports, with Ultimate Kho Kho spearheading the charge.” Niyogi highlighted achievements such as the nomination of Nasreen Shaikh, the Indian women’s Kho Kho captain, for the prestigious Arjuna Award.
Kabaddi, too, experienced significant expansion through the Yuva Kabaddi Series, India’s first year-round sports tournament. Suhail Chandhok, CEO of U Mumba and Co-Founder of the Yuva Kabaddi Series, expressed the impact on grassroots development and the positive influence extending to the Pro Kabaddi League.
In the pursuit of a truly dedicated sporting nation, Gamepoint, a prominent sports services provider, played a pivotal role in promoting fitness and active participation. Aditya Reddy, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamepoint, highlighted achievements, stating, “In 2023, Gamepoint trained 4000 students, enabled more than 1 lakh people to play sports, and conducted 100+ corporate sports events.” Looking ahead, Gamepoint aims to expand its reach and increase revenue share in 2024.
The collective sporting achievements of 2023 have set the stage for a promising 2024, as India aims to build a robust and thriving sporting industry.
–IANS
