Can the government and industry work together to strengthen the sports ecosystem in India? The Business of Sports, a summit hosted by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s marketing committee at ITC Sonar on September 10 will seek an answer to this question. My Kolkata is the digital media partner for the event.
The summit will be attended by Sundar Raman, former COO of IPL; Joy Bhattacharya, CEO of Professional Volleyball League and former team director of Kolkata Knight Riders; Joseph Eapen, Managing Director, India at YouGov Sport; Sunando Dhar, new deputy secretary general, AIFF; Yatnesh Pandey, vice-president, marketing, GreenPly; Farzaan Heerjee, chief protocol and sports, Tata Steel. Brands like Amul, Boost, Prime Volleyball League Champions Kolkata Thunderbolts will be a part of the conclave.
The BCC&I’s Marketing Committee has earlier held conclaves on India as a Market in 2020, Changing Faces of Communication, Changing faces of Brands, Influencer Marketing, Millennial Consumers and more.
Sporting leagues in India have promoted games like kabaddi, soccer, hockey and volleyball and created value for all stakeholders in the fraternity. All leagues have had varying levels of success in generating fan base, inviting sponsorships and ensuring financial viability and profitability for team promoters and owners, sponsors and merchandising associates.
“Realising the impact of sports on the entire economy, industry and entertainment sector, BCC&I’s Marketing Committee is organising a summit on The Business of Sports. We have put together this programme to seek some pertinent answers and advice on how the government and industry together can strengthen the sports ecosystem in India, and deliberate on how the various stakeholders – from franchise league owners to team sponsors to brands associated with sports gain from these associations,” said Smarajit Purkayastha, deputy director general of BCC&I.