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.
