Bengaluru: In a significant step towards strengthening India’s sports ecosystem, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and TENVIC Sports, co-founded by legendary cricketer Anil Kumble, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a comprehensive set of academic and infrastructural initiatives. The collaboration aims to develop highly skilled professionals for the sports industry and provide structured career pathways for athletes during and beyond their competitive years.
MAHE and TENVIC Sports will establish an interdisciplinary academic framework integrating sports coaching, management, technology, and sciences to nurture talent for India’s rapidly expanding sports sector. The framework will be supported by a Research & Incubation Hub, fostering innovation in high-performance training, sports infrastructure, and athlete support systems.
High-Performance Sports Centres across MAHE campuses will provide professional athletes with opportunities to pursue education alongside training and offer students practical exposure through internships. Addressing the surging demand for sports professionals—expected to exceed 1 crore by 2030—the initiative will focus on equipping athletes with corporate and entrepreneurial skills. The collaboration also aims to engage with industry stakeholders to drive meaningful change across the sports landscape.
Anil Kumble expressed his vision, stating, “Since TENVIC’s inception 15 years ago, bridging the gap between education and sports has been my aspiration. Our partnership with MAHE brings this vision to life, nurturing talent in coaching, technology, sciences, and management to propel India as a global sports force.”
Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, added, “Partnering with TENVIC is a notable milestone in our vision of holistic education nurturing well-rounded individuals who contribute meaningfully to society. Sports is not just about competition; it develops character, discipline, and leadership. We are proud to support India’s aspirations as a sporting nation.”
This MoU marks a significant step towards enhancing India’s sporting legacy, fostering innovation, and creating seamless career pathways for athletes, both on and off the field.
