Symposium Hyderabad discusses future of sports ecosystem in India
Symposium hosted a high-level discussion in Hyderabad on India’s sporting ecosystem, featuring Abhinav Bindra, Jayesh Ranjan and other experts. During the event, Jayesh Ranjan announced that the proposed Telangana Sports University would confer its first honorary doctorate on Bindra
Hyderabad: Symposium, Hyderabad’s emerging platform for ideas and leadership, hosted its second flagship session, “Beyond the Game: The Business of Athletic Excellence,” at Quorum in Madhapur here on Thursday night, bringing together some of India’s most respected voices from sport, public policy, administration, media and industry for an evening of high-level discussion and exchange.
Founded by Girish Mallpani and co-founded by Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Symposium is envisioned as a recurring intellectual forum where leaders from government, business, academia and public life engage in meaningful cross-domain dialogue on issues shaping India’s future.
The session featured an accomplished panel comprising Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist and founder of the Abhinav Bindra Foundation; Col Nachhatar Singh Johal, CEO, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Sports Authority of India; Boria Majumdar, noted sports historian, author and journalist; and Mandira Bedi, actor, presenter and advocate for sports and fitness.
The discussion was moderated by Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana.
The evening explored what it truly takes to build world-class sporting ecosystems in India, from grassroots development and policy frameworks to institutional support, infrastructure, private investment, sports science, athlete welfare and the growing business of sport.
In a significant announcement during the session, Jayesh Ranjan revealed that the first honorary doctorate to be conferred by the proposed Telangana Sports University would be awarded to Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra.
He said that whenever the first convocation of the Telangana Sports University is held, the university would confer its first honorary doctorate on Abhinav Bindra.
“The IPL transformed the way cricket is played and consumed. Each IPL team today functions like a large professional organisation with hundreds of people working behind the scenes. The important question now is: how do we build similar ecosystems for every other sport in the country?” Jayesh Ranjan said.
Abhinav Bindra said that sports had taught him how to respect himself.
“The next decade will be the decade of sports. We must build sport from the grassroots. Ever since shooting began to be introduced at the school level, more young people have started taking up the sport. Significant investments are now being made in sports infrastructure and athlete development,” he said.
Col Nachhatar Singh Johal reflected on India’s Olympic preparation strategy and the importance of structured talent pathways, institutional planning and long-term investment in athlete development.
Well-known sports historian Boria Majumdar and actor-presenter Mandira Bedi also spoke.