Private sector poised to play a vital role in sports development: Sujata Chaturvedi

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: “In sports I always feel that the role of private sector is very large and we are very mindful of the issues that need to be resolved in order that this role can be played productively” said Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports during the Sixth SPORTSCOM Annual General Meeting and Annual Session organised by the SPORTSCOM Industry Confederation in New Delhi on 12 September 2024.

She further added the importance of Indian stamps on supplements instead of certification from abroad which are very expensive and such stamps on can really take the Make in India initiative to even greater heights. On the recently concluded Olympics and paralympic success, she added that there is a lot that the private sector can do in every aspect of sport and the focus should be on the next Olympic cycle. Ms. Chaturvedi also highlighted on enhancing the participation of MSMEs for the next Olympic games.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vivek Singh, Senior Vice President, SPORTSCOM Industry Confederation stated that “along with the Government we can make the sport sector the number 1 sector in India”. Mr. Singh further added that if India’s manufacturing sector can just be given a few incentives than the true potential of the sector will be realised.

Mr. Shiv P Singh of Shiv Naresh and Mr. Neeraj Jain of Cosco also spoke about the sports goods production and making of good quality garments for the sportspersons.

The SPORTSCOM Industry Confederation which is incubated in Confederation of India Industry (CII) organised the Sixth SPORTSCOM Annual General Meeting and Annual Session.

There were several sessions organised during the sixth annual session of SPORTSCOM. One of the sessions on “New Age Engagement for Sports Fans” focused on leveraging the use of emerging technology such as blockchain and AI in connecting the fans with sports in real time. The session also focused on off-season monetization strategies by analyzing data about the consumption and motivation pattern of fans but also at the same time using the data in a more positive manner.

The special session with Kho Kho Federation of India with Mr. Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India drew attention towards promoting the sport of Kho Kho to not only in India but globally as well. Mr. Mittal highlighted that sports would go a long way if there is an apex body like SPORTSCOM to facilitate sports in India. Mr. Mittal also highlighted the need to map the sports infrastructure available at the grassroots level and for that institutionalizing sporting infrastructure is the need of the hour.

Another session on “Employment & Skilling for the Future of Sports Industry” focused on the importance of industry connect to create a demand and supply of human capital in the sports industry. Panelists also deliberated on strategies for promoting sports entrepreneurship and a sports startup ecosystem in India.

The SPORTSCOM event also focused on making India’s sports manufacturing at par with international standards and exploring global markets for greater industry collaboration during the “India The Next Global Sports Manufacturing Hub” session of the event.

The event also had a special session on “Raising Awareness about Nutrition and Drug Free Supplements”  focused on the importance of the use of clean supplement which can enhance the reputation and trust of manufacturers.