The Indian Sports Management Association Conference – Being Part of Something New…All Over Again

December 23, 2024

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 each one, there was a shared sense of accomplishment.

We all knew that these events were the beginning of something bigger—an effort to bring stakeholders from across the industry together to discuss how we could professionalize sports in India. It didn’t matter if the panel discussions were smaller than expected or if some awardees didn’t show up. What mattered was that we were meeting face-to-face, building relationships, and exchanging ideas. Those early conversations planted the seeds for what has since become a thriving industry.

As I reflect on it 15 years later, many of the people I met at those conferences have become close friends and industry pioneers. The connections made during those early years laid the foundation for a decade and a half of collaboration. And, of course, over time, Indian sports conferences have evolved significantly. Today, some of the events hosted here are on par with the best in the world.

Fast forward to today: I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Indian Sports Management Association (INSMA) conference in Mumbai. This event marked a new chapter, aimed at bringing together scholars, practitioners, and business leaders to shape the future of Indian sports through innovation, inclusion, and integrity. As someone who has been deeply involved in sports education for the past decade, I was particularly excited about this conference. We’ve long needed a platform to facilitate knowledge exchange and foster collaboration in this field.

The event was a resounding success, and here are five reasons why:

International Speakers with Global Insight

The conference featured exceptional international speakers who shared invaluable strategies on how to package and present sports management research in ways that can influence policy and decision-makers.

Bridging Academia and Industry

The event provided a rare opportunity for academics and industry professionals to come together and explore how both worlds can collaborate more effectively to advance the field.

Encouraging Research and Innovation

Indian sports management educators, students, and faculty were given the chance to present research papers, sparking new ideas and encouraging future research projects within the industry.

Global Stakeholder Engagement

International stakeholders were able to gain deeper insights into the opportunities and challenges within the Indian sports and education landscape, fostering a global perspective on local issues.

Student Involvement

Students from the host university played a key role in organizing and participating in the event, offering them invaluable exposure to the industry and real-world experience.

More than anything, though, this conference felt like the beginning of something much larger. It planted the seeds for future events, collaborations, and conversations that will help to cultivate a more professional, cohesive, and globally connected sports management education landscape in India.

I want to acknowledge the entire INSMA team, especially the founders, Dr. Sathak Mondal and Arko Biswas, for their vision and hard work. Having been involved in similar efforts for the Indian sports industry 15 years ago, I can truly appreciate how these initiatives pay off in ways we often can’t predict. I’m already looking forward to next year’s INSMA conference!

Below, I’m sharing some photos from my very first conferences in 2010, alongside a few from this year’s INSMA event. It’s amazing to see how far we've come.