Technology and sports need to come together for the world of sports to flourish. Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) understands this and is setting the stage to transform the world of sports in India. The Sports Tech Startup Conclave event scheduled to be held in New Delhi on July 12th and 13th is a manifesto of IIT Madras’ commitment to foster innovation in sports technology.
The conference is organised by the Centre for Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA), IIT Madras, and marks a significant step towards building a strong sports tech ecosystem. IIT Madras has invested INR 50 crore to support 10 sports tech startups in the country. At least 200 innovative sports tech startups will be supported over the next five years.
CESSA CEO Ramesh Kumar stressed the importance of building infrastructure and promoting research and development to support sports tech ventures. The New Delhi conclave is expected to be a melting pot of stakeholders.
The move is in line with the Indian government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, which aims to put greater emphasis on sports goods manufacturing and technical support. IIT Madras is laying the foundation for a self-reliant sports industry.
The timing of the conclave is strategic: the 2024 Paris Olympics will open on July 26. The long-term vision also includes technical assistance for the possible hosting of the 2036 Olympics, an aspiration that would showcase India’s growing presence on the global sporting stage.
The conclave promises innovative sports education through digital platforms and will expand access to quality education. The approach is very holistic and addresses the immediate need of sports tech startups.
