March 2025: In a significant step towards strengthening India's sports ecosystem, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and TENVIC Sports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a comprehensive set of academic and infrastructural initiatives to develop highly skilled professionals for the sports industry and provide structured career pathways for athletes, during and beyond their competitive years.

Bridging Academia and the Sports Industry

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 and Incubation Hub, fostering innovation in high-performance training, sports infrastructure, and athlete support systems.

A key component of this partnership is the creation of High-Performance Sports Centres across MAHE campuses, allowing professional athletes to pursue academic qualifications alongside their training and offering hands-on learning opportunities for students in sports-related disciplines through internships and practical exposure.

Recognizing the need for structured career transitions, the collaboration will also equip active and retired athletes with the skills and qualifications required to thrive in corporate and entrepreneurial roles. MAHE and TENVIC Sports aim to engage with industry stakeholders, sports organizations and policymakers to drive meaningful change across the sports landscape.

Addressing the Growing Demand for Sports Professionals in India

India's sports industry is witnessing unprecedented growth. A recent Deloitte-Google analysis estimates that the sector - currently at $52 billion – will exceed $130 billion by 2030. The sports ecosystem, spanning manufacturing, technology, management, and operations, currently employs 47 lakh professionals and is projected to require over 1 crore skilled personnel in five years.

This surge is driven by increasing fitness consciousness, expansion of professional sports leagues, and Indian athletes excelling globally. To sustain this momentum, the industry needs a robust pipeline of qualified coaches, sports scientists, performance analysts, physiotherapists, and sports technologists, a gap this partnership seeks to bridge.

Strengthening India's Sporting Legacy

India's growing success in international sports has fuelled the demand for world-class support systems and infrastructure. With more athletes reaching elite levels, the country also faces a rising number of retirements. Many former athletes possess invaluable skills such as leadership, discipline, and resilience - attributes that make them well-suited for corporate and entrepreneurial careers. However, structured academic qualifications are often the missing link in their transition.

By integrating education, industry expertise, and innovation, MAHE and TENVIC Sports aim to elevate India's sporting achievements, drive advancements in sports-related industries, and create seamless career pathways for athletes - both on and off the field.

Remarks by MAHE and TENVIC Sports Leadership

"MAHE's collaboration with TENVIC demonstrates our commitment to innovation and excellence in higher education. Developing a new generation of professionals - excelling on the field and across India's sports ecosystem - is a step towards a fitter nation with a competitive sports culture."
- Dr. Ranjan Pai, President - Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and Chairman - Manipal Education and Medical Group

"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."
- Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor - Manipal Academy of Higher Education

"Since the founding of TENVIC 15 years ago, it has been my aspiration to bridge the gap between education and sports. I am pleased to announce that this vision has been realised through our partnership with MAHE."
- Anil Kumble, Founder - TENVIC Sports

"Our collaboration with MAHE will nurture and develop Indian talent in sports coaching, technology, sciences and management. Together, we aim to accelerate India's growth as a prominent force in the global sports arena."
- Vasanth Bharadwaj, Co-Founder - TENVIC Sports

About MAHE

Manipal Academy of Higher Education, an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University, offers over 400 specializations across Health Sciences, Management, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Technology and Science streams, at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE is acclaimed both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for global corporates looking for top talent.

About TENVIC Sports

Founded to systematically nurture grassroots sports talent and provide world-class training facilities for elite athletes, TENVIC Sports has delivered formal coaching in 23 different sports to over 3,50,000 children across schools and academies. It currently manages a High-Performance Centre in weightlifting and has previous experience in managing a High-Performance Centre for athletics. Through a hub-and-spoke model, TENVIC Sports has developed a scalable ecosystem for coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and sports managers, embedding cutting-edge technology to optimize athlete performance and overall sports operations.