Live India, Love Football

When I first arrived in India and began working in the sports industry, the concept of sports conferences was still relatively new. Major organizations like FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) were just starting to host events with names like ‘Turf’ and ‘Scorecard’. I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time—not only attending these conferences but also serving as an organizer. Having spent the early part of my career in North America’s sports industry, where events were meticulously planned and executed with the highest levels of professionalism, I found these initial conferences in India to be a stark contrast. The budgets were tight, speakers often confirmed at the last minute, panel sessions felt disjointed, and programming frequently ran late. Organizers were scrambling to fill seats, and things often felt a bit chaotic. But despite the challenges, the events went on. And at the end of e...

I just returned to India after the annual GISB-Premier League study trip to the United Kingdom, and I’m filled with immense gratitude, inspiration, and excitement for the future of the sports industry. In 2018, Gaurav Modwel and I set out to create a world-class sports education institute with a vision to bridge the gap between the east and west in the world of sports. Our aim was simple yet ambitious: to provide aspiring sports professionals with unparalleled access to industry leaders, best practices, and hands-on learning opportunities that go beyond classrooms—immersing them in engaging real-world situations where students can explore platforms, products, concepts and strategies that further the industry and connect the world. Seven years later, the institute has grown into something far greater than we had imagined. This past week’s trip showcased exactly why GISB exists. Thanks to The Premier League, its clubs, and its partners, our students had the opportunity to: Deepen their u...

Fifteen years. I recently celebrated my fifteenth year living in India. It’s a milestone that feels… tricky to define. Is it an achievement? A feat of endurance? A happy accident? Or simply what happens when you keep waking up, showing up, and living your life? I suppose it depends on who you ask—and perhaps how much coffee you’ve had before answering. For me, these 15 years represent clarity, courage, resilience, and alignment. But weirdly, it doesn’t feel like something I’ve “accomplished.” I didn’t arrive here with a master plan, definitive timeline or India bucket list. I moved because it felt right—like a calling to shift my life to this country and contribute to the growth of sport. The plan was… well, there wasn’t one. Just a vague hope that I’d survive, make some friends, have some unique experiences and maybe—just maybe—leave a positive mark. When I arrived in late October 2009, everything felt new. Every day was a first. The streets were loud, the possibilities endless, and t...