SPORTS CON Pune 2025 Sparks Game-Changing Dialogue
on India's Sporting Future and Olympic Ambitions
PUNE, INDIA – On April 25, 2025, the city of Pune
became the epicentre of India’s sports innovation and collaboration at SPORTS
CON Pune 2025, hosted by the Institute of Sports Science &
Technology (ISST). The landmark event gathered leading minds from across
India’s sports ecosystem—athletes, entrepreneurs, coaches, federations, and
corporate leaders—to build momentum toward India’s 2036 Olympic aspirations.
The evening
opened with a stirring video celebrating India’s Olympic dream, followed by the
National Anthem. Tanvi Lunawat, Director of Operations at ISST, welcomed
the audience and set the tone for the evening with a powerful message: “At this
event, we are not just discussing the future of sports—we’re here to create
it.”
Setting the Stage: A Vision for 2036
The event
opened with an inspiring audio-visual presentation of India's Olympic
aspirations for 2036, immediately setting the tone for an evening that was both
reflective and forward-looking. The National Anthem followed, drawing the
packed auditorium into a shared spirit of national pride. Tanvi Lunawat,
Director of Operations at ISST and host for the evening welcomed the attendees.
In a symbolic Sapling Watering Ceremony,
Madhukar Talwalkar, Founder Talwalkars Fitness, Dr. Pranati Tilak, Trustee,
Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, and Mrs.
Ujwala Lunawat, Chairperson of ISST, marked the official
opening of the event—signifying the nurturing of grassroots talent and a
sustainable sports future.
Decoding the League Culture: The New Face of Indian Sports
The evening’s first marquee panel, titled “Decoding the League Culture:
The New Face of Indian Sports”, explored the meteoric rise of sports leagues
across the country. Moderated by Dr. Vipul Lunawat, Director of ISST and
architect of SPORTS CON, the panel featured Kailash Kandpal (CEO,
Puneri Paltan - Pro Kabaddi League), Parvin Dabas (Co-Founder, Pro Panja
League), Mandar Tamhane (CEO, North East United FC - Indian Super
League), and Rishi Bhansali (COO, Pune United – World Pickleball
League).
Each panelist offered a distinct lens on league-building in India,
sharing their experiences in scaling both popular and emerging sports. The discussion
centered on the commercial viability of new-age leagues, the importance
of talent scouting through school and regional platforms, and the creation
of community-based fan engagement models that go beyond metro cities.
A pressing need for policy support and regulatory consistency was
also highlighted.
An engaging Q&A wrapped up the session, with vibrant participation
from educators, coaches, and sports entrepreneurs eager to contribute
to India’s league-based sports revolution.
Powering Progress: The Role of Government, Federations, Corporates &
NGOs in Sports
The second panel, “Powering Progress,” addressed one of Indian sport’s
most urgent themes—collaborative governance and sustainable development. Dr.
Vipul Lunawat once again led the conversation, joined by an illustrious lineup:
Pawan Singh (Co-Founder, Gun for Glory Shooting Academy & Joint
Secretary General, National Rifle Association of India), Lokesh
Suji (VP, Asian Esports Federation & Member, International Esports
Federation) and Rishikesh Joshi (Founder, Sports For All - SFA).
The panel delved into structural reforms and policy alignment across
sectors, with highlights on the critical importance of state
federations in athlete development, and the need for unified
frameworks that connect government schemes, corporates, and NGOs.
Felicitation
of Partners
The
evening also included a brief felicitation ceremony to acknowledge the
invaluable support of the event’s official partners. Radio Mirchi was recognized as
the Radio Partner,
L’utopia Magazine
as the Magazine Partner,
and Punekar News
as the Media Partner.
Go Fresh was
appreciated as the Freshness
Partner, while Champion
Sports was felicitated as the Sports Merchandise Partner. Their contributions
played a key role in the success of SPORTS CON Pune 2025.
SEF & Grassroots Action: A Movement with Purpose
SPORTS CON 2025 also cast a well-deserved spotlight on the Sports
Entrepreneurs Foundation (SEF), a not-for-profit initiative launched by ISST
and fellow sports professionals. SEF is at the forefront of CSR-led rural
development through sport, currently supporting two schools in
Mulshi with sustained efforts in donations, outreach, and awareness
campaigns. A short documentary on SEF’s work received enthusiastic applause,
affirming the conference’s vision of combining elite performance pathways
with inclusive development efforts.
Innovation Zones & Networking Night
Attendees engaged with an interactive High-Performance Centre (HPC)
showcase, featuring cutting-edge sports technologies and performance
analytics tools. The Pro Gaming Zone was another crowd-puller,
especially among young delegates exploring the fusion of technology,
gaming, and physical sport. The day concluded with a vibrant Networking
Dinner, fostering new partnerships and ongoing discussions among federation
leaders, startup founders, academicians, and innovators from across the
country.