ITV

Tag: Gamepoint

  • Team Infosys crowned champions at Corporate Badminton Championship

    Team Infosys crowned champions at Corporate Badminton Championship

    Mumbai: Team Infosys crowned champions at the fifth edition of the Corporate Badminton Championship on Sunday at the high-quality sports centre in Hyderabad.

    In a thrilling Championship Cup final, Team Infosys defeated Team Optum to claim the trophy, while Team Novartis overcame the challenge of Team JP Morgan Chase in the Challengers Cup final. The chairman of Kankanala Sports Group, Abhishek Reddy Kankanala was the chief guest of the event and gave the awards to the winners.

    “The Corporate Badminton Championship is a great initiative by Gamepoint that aims to promote and incorporate the numerous benefits of sports amongst the employees in the corporate world, thereby promoting improved physical health, mental well-being, and encouraging enhanced teamwork among the employees,” stated Abhishek Reddy Kankanala after attending the event.

    Commenting on the tournament, Gamepoint co-founder Siddharth Reddy stated, “I congratulate all the winners of the Corporate Badminton Championship. This tournament is now a milestone for the corporate employees as they look forward to participating and competing. Over the years, it has also taken a pivotal step towards integrating physical well-being and teamwork in the corporate world. Gamepoint is dedicated to creating a culture that values sports and fitness and we hope this event inspires everyone to think about its importance in a new light. We look forward to witnessing some of the biggest corporate companies engage in exciting badminton action on our state-of-the-art courts.”

    Meanwhile, in the individual events, Rutwika Das of TCS defeated Geetha (JPMC) 30-23 to win the women’s singles trophy, while Pranava Jain clinched the men’s singles title with a walkover. Avvaru Sathish Babu and Donthu Sai Ram (FINMKT) overcame Bharath & Manoj of Infosys 30-22 to claim the men’s doubles event.

    The women’s doubles title went to Pooja & Ritwika Das (TCS), who beat Geetha & Nikitha (JPMC) by 30-26. Infosys’ Bharath & Mousam claimed the mixed doubles event with a 30-25 win over Pranava Jain & Riya Kumari of Microsoft. Wipro’s Raghu Vamshi P clinched the title in 35 plus Men’s singles category after defeating Satya R (Service Now) 30-18, while Abdul Zabbar & Deepak Dixit of Novartis won 35 plus Mens doubles event with 30-21 victory against Jagadeesh & Nandikolla Srinadh (Optum).

    The corporate Badminton Championship was conducted in a unique team event format along with seven individual events. In the team event, a total of eight companies participated which included JP Morgan Chase and Co., Goldman Sachs, INFOSYS, Novartis India Limited, Colruyt group, FinMkt, Samrat Group, alongside last year’s winner Optum.

    More than 100 participants took part in seven individual events. Each game in the tournament was decided by a single game of 30 points.

  • Gamepoint announces fifth edition of ‘Corporate Badminton Championship’

    Gamepoint announces fifth edition of ‘Corporate Badminton Championship’

    Mumbai: Gamepoint, a prominent sports services provider has announced the fifth edition of its highly anticipated Corporate Badminton Championship which will take place at the high-quality sports centre in Hyderabad from 3-4 February 2024.

    The Corporate Badminton Championship is an initiative of Gamepoint that aims to promote and incorporate the numerous benefits of sports amongst the employees in the corporate world, thereby promoting improved physical health, mental well-being, and encouraging enhanced teamwork among the employees.

    Commenting on the tournament, Gamepoint co-founder Siddharth Reddy stated, “We are excited to bring together corporate professionals for the fifth edition of the Corporate Badminton Championship. This tournament is now a milestone for the corporate employees as they look forward to participate and compete. This tournament over the years have also taken a pivotal step toward integrating physical well-being and teamwork in the corporate world. Gamepoint is dedicated to creating a culture that values sports and fitness and we hope this event inspires everyone to think about its importance in a new light. We look forward to witnessing some of the biggest corporate companies engage in exciting badminton action on our state-of-the-art courts.”

    Corporate Badminton Championship will be conducted in a unique team event format along with 7 individual events. In the team event, a total of 8 companies will participate which include JP Morgan Chase and Co., Goldman Sachs, INFOSYS, Novartis India Limited, Colruyt group, FinMkt, Samrat Group, alongside last year’s winner Optum.

    More than 100 participants will be competing in seven individual events including Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, 35+ Men’s Singles, and 35+ Men’s Doubles.

    Each game in the tournament will be decided by a single game of 30 points.

    “We are thrilled to be part of Gamepoint’s Corporate Badminton Championship. Engaging in sports not only promotes a healthier lifestyle among our employees but also strengthens teamwork. We look forward to the spirited competition and the opportunity for our professionals to showcase their athletic prowess,” said participant Deepak Dixit from Novartis.

    Teams, comprising 4-6 shuttlers with a minimum of one female participant, will be formed into groups to compete in a round-robin. After the group stage, the competition will progress to two separate knockout stages: the Champions Cup and the Challengers Cup.

    “At Optum, we believe in the power of sports to enhance individual well-being and build strong, cohesive teams. We have been part of every edition of the Corporate Badminton Championship as it aligns with our commitment to promoting a healthy work-life balance and we are eager to not only participate in the tournament but to win,” expressed Srinadh Nandikolla from Optum.

  • Union Budget 2024: Record Rs 3442 cr boosts India’s sports sector

    Union Budget 2024: Record Rs 3442 cr boosts India’s sports sector

    Mumbai: During her speech, the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated, “The country is proud of our youth scaling new heights in sports. The highest-ever medal tally in Asian Games and Asian Para Games in 2023 reflects a high confidence level. Chess prodigy and our Number-One ranked player Praggnanandhaa put up a stiff fight against the reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsson in 2023. Today, India has over 80 chess grandmasters compared to little over 20 in 2010.”

    Sports budget allocation 2024-25

    •    Khelo India: Rs 1045 Cr
    •    SAI: Rs 822 Cr
    •    National Sports Development Fund: Rs 18 Cr

    Here are the post-budget reactions of India’s sporting business stakeholders

    Punit Balan Group chairman & managing director Punit Balan shared his thoughts on the budget allocation stating, “The government’s proactive stance towards sports through this increased allocation of funds will provide the impetus for Indian athletes to shine brightly in international competitions, contributing to the continued growth and success of the country’s success on the global stage. With the Paris Olympics looming on the horizon, we are confident that our youth will make it the best-ever campaign for India.”

    Reflecting on the government’s sustained commitment to the growth of sports in India, Ultimate Kho Kho CEO and League Commissioner Tenzing Niyogi highlighted, “Last year, we witnessed a Rs 300 crore increase in sports allocations, which contributed to India’s success in the Asian and Para-Asian Games. The government’s continued commitment is evident in the latest budget, with a total allocation of Rs 3442 crores, which reflects a significant increase from the previous year’s budget. The increased allocations not only boost the morale of our athletes but also serve as a testament to the government’s vision for developing and nurturing sporting talent. As India gears up for the upcoming Paris Olympics, this heightened financial support will pave the way for a promising era for sports in the country.”

    One of the key beneficiaries of this augmented budget is Khelo India, which has received a significant increase from Rs 880 crores to Rs 900 crores.

    “The substantial allocation in this year’s budget not just for the sports sector but also for Khelo India will play a pivotal role with regard to grassroots development. This support for our athletes across all sporting disciplines will facilitate more participation and lead to more medals at the Olympics and other international tournaments,” commented U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok.

    Concurring with him, Yuva Kabaddi Series CEO Vikas Gautam emphasised, “The commendable allocation in this year’s budget marks a significant stride towards transforming India into a sporting powerhouse. By prioritising grassroots infrastructure via increasing the Khelo India budget, we are not just investing in facilities but nurturing the latent talent that resides in every corner of our nation. This budget reflects a visionary approach, recognizing that the true potential of our athletes lies in the foundation we build for them today. It’s a resounding commitment to creating a robust sports ecosystem and with our combined efforts I hope this will fuel the aspirations of our youth and propel India to new heights on the global stage.”

    Gamepoint co-founder & CEO Aditya Reddy believes that the impact of sports extends beyond the field, offering massive economic opportunities.

    “PM Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai stated that the government has resolved to make the country an important centre of the global sports ecosystem. He also highlighted that sports was not just limited to the field, but also presents a huge economic opportunity, he said the country’s sports-related industry will be worth at least Rs 1 lakh crore in a few years. Given the positive approach of the government towards sports, we hope that post the Lok Sabha elections, the new government will increase the budget allocation and announce new measures for the growth of Indian sports,” noted Aditya Reddy.

    Alongside the increased budget allocations, FM Nirmala Sitharaman praised the achievements of the country’s youth in sports and highlighted the confidence level reflected in India’s highest-ever medal tally at last year’s Asian and Para Asian Games during her speech.

    In addition, she proudly stated that India now boasts over 80 Chess Grandmasters which is a significant increase from just over 20 in 2010 and sparked optimism among the country’s sporting business stakeholders.

    Punit Balan, whose PBG-owned team Balan Alaskan Knights competed in the inaugural Global Chess League (GCL) last year said, “Our FM, Nirmala Sitharaman, acknowledging the remarkable achievements of our youth in sports, particularly in chess, reflects the bright future of the sport in our nation. We take pride in Raunak Sadhwani, the prodigy of Balan Alaskan Knights, being one of India’s 80 Grandmasters.”

    The positive sentiments were echoed by Suhail Chandhok who expressed, “As mentioned by FM Nirmala Sitharaman, Indian athletes have been making their presence felt on the International stage and that is a significant indication of our country becoming a sporting powerhouse. Our upGrad Mumba Masters’ grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi, Harika Dronavalli, and Koneru Humpy securing Medals at last year’s Asian Games 2022 have brought immense pride to Indian chess, with Vidit also going on to secure a place in the prestigious Candidates tournament.”

    With the continued support from the government, the sports sector in India is poised for further development and a bright future for athletes across various disciplines.

  • Will Union Budget boost catapult India to Olympic glory in Paris 2024 and beyond?

    Will Union Budget boost catapult India to Olympic glory in Paris 2024 and beyond?

    Mumbai: With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, the spotlight is blazing on India’s sports sector as we eagerly await the Union Budget 2024. In 2023, the industry witnessed a historic budget boost, soaring by over Rs 300 Crores to reach Rs 3397.32 Cr – a testament to the government’s commitment.

    Khelo India emerged as the frontrunner with a whopping allocation of Rs 1045 Crores, playing a game-changing role. Now, with the global stage beckoning in Paris and future Olympic bids, the nation’s sports enthusiasts are on the edge of their seats, anticipating how the upcoming budget will script India’s sports narrative for the world.

    Here are the quotes from the various industry experts on pre-Union Budget allocation for the sports sector

    Punit Balan Group chairman & managing director Punit Balan expressed his optimism, stating, “Last year’s significant boost in the sports budget showcased the government’s commitment to supporting athletic talent. Considering the Paris Olympics 2024 this year, I hope to see a continued emphasis on encouraging and building future stars. The combination of grassroots initiatives like Khelo India and the professional leagues is essential for nurturing talent and ensuring a sustainable ecosystem for Indian sports.”

    Ultimate Kho Kho CEO and league commissioner Tenzing Niyogi emphasised the need for strategic allocations, noting, “Aligning with the nation’s vision to host the 2036 Olympics under the leadership of our prime minister Shri Narendra Modi, we expect a strategic allocation for non-cricketing sports for infrastructure and talent development across diverse sporting disciplines. Furthermore, the allocation of funds from NSF is also of utmost importance as it will serve as a catalyst for nurturing grassroots programs and identifying as well as developing raw talent. An increase in the National Skill Development Fund is also imperative. This is not only in line with making India a multisport-playing nation but also with the creation of more opportunities through the PPP model to engage and entice additional corporate participation in the Sports Movement.”

    As the sporting landscape in India evolves, U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok emphasised the importance of channelling resources into the development of indigenous sports leagues, the identification of talent, and the nurturing of grassroots initiatives.

    “With the rapid development of emerging homegrown sports leagues, we anticipate an allocation of funds to elevate their prominence in the country. We also hope for a strategic focus on talent identification and grassroots development which to me are crucial pillars for creating a vibrant sports ecosystem. Investing in these areas will not only promote but also contribute to the sustainable development of diverse sporting disciplines,” he said.

    Addressing the crucial aspect of international-level coaching, facilities, and sports sciences, Yuva Kabaddi Series CEO Vikas K Gautam commented, “The allocation of funds towards the training of coaches is crucial, given the current lack of infrastructure and the absence of internationally standardized coaching facilities. It is imperative to recognize that only well-trained coaches can cultivate athletes to compete at the international level. Emphasis on holistic development programs, focusing on talent identification and nurturing, nutrition, and sports science, to create a well-rounded ecosystem for aspiring athletes.”

    Gamepoint co-founder & CEO Aditya Reddy brought attention to the fiscal aspects of the sports sector, emphasizing that reducing GST could play a pivotal role in its transformation by remarking, “To transform the sports sector in India, it is imperative to encourage and incentivise private sports organisations. This can be made possible by reducing the GST on sports services from 18 per cent to 12 per cent, incentivising the establishment of sports goods manufacturing in India through a PLI scheme for sports equipment, and facilitating access to government, railways, and PSU sports facilities for the general public. If necessary, involving private organizations in managing these facilities under a PPP model can enhance both management and maintenance efficiency.”

  • Indian sports ecosystem thrives in 2023: A year in review

    Indian sports ecosystem thrives in 2023: A year in review

    Mumbai: In 2023, India witnessed a remarkable period filled with record-breaking feats and notable breakthroughs across various sporting domains. It has undoubtedly been a monumental one for the Indian sports ecosystem through significant achievements including:

    In the Union Budget 2023: The sports sector has received its highest-ever budget allocation in history. With an over 300 crore jump, the sports sector has received Rs 3397.32 Cr allocation in the new FY 2023-24 Union Budget. Khelo India received a whopping 1045 Cr funding.

    Asian Games Glory: Setting a new benchmark with a record-breaking haul of 107 medals, the nation’s athletic prowess took centre stage, contributing significantly to this remarkable achievement. Notably, the standout performance in athletics marked phenomenal growth, accounting for approximately 20 per cent of the total medals—a testament to the country’s escalating dominance on the sporting stage compared to previous editions.

    Following are the quotes from personalities on how things went for the Indian sports ecosystem in 2023, achievements and milestones by their company this year and what they are aiming for in 2024:

    Punit Balan Group chairman & MD Punit Balan

    The past year has been a monumental journey for the Indian sporting landscape, especially for non-cricketing sports, and we take immense pride in the significant strides made by the Punit Balan Group in the sporting industry. Our strategic investments in over nine leagues, both nationally and internationally, have contributed toward creating a thriving and sustainable ecosystem for Olympic, indigenous and non-Olympic sports in the country.

    The success of Mumbai Khiladis, the Ultimate Kho Kho team, serves as a powerful testament to the growing appeal of non-cricketing leagues among brands as well as the audience. This season, we achieved a remarkable milestone by securing massive sponsorships that only vindicate the market dynamics as well as also highlight the confidence that sponsors place in our vision for the growth of sports in India.

    Taking our influence to the global stage, PBG had acquired a team, PBG Eagles in the World Tennis League played in Abu Dhabi and what is even more heartening is winning the World Tennis League Season Two title. This strategic move was a big step toward establishing our footprint across the global sporting market, having the world’s best players, including World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev.

    At PBG, our commitment is not limited to mere team ownership in mainline sports. We are devoted to empowering athletes and propelling them toward their Olympic dreams. A case in point is our Handball League team, which also became the season one champion. With the Paris Olympics in mind in 2024, our focus is to increase our support for more athletes, offering them the necessary resources and backing to excel internationally.

    A shining example of this commitment is Indian Tennis Star Rutuja Bhosale, a PBG-supported athlete who clinched a gold medal in mixed doubles tennis at the Asian Games this year. Her triumph brought glory to our nation and fueled her aspirations for an Olympic berth, for which she is currently working hard.

    In 2024, our focus will remain on creating a lasting impact in the sports industry, supporting athletes, and continuing to build sustainable sporting business models for non-cricketing sports, inspiring more people to invest in sports and building a strong stakeholder ecosystem.

    Ultimate Kho Kho CEO and league commissioner Tenzing Niyogi

    The year 2023 was distinguished by historic milestones and remarkable achievements for indigenous sports, with Ultimate Kho Kho spearheading the charge. In a groundbreaking initiative, Ultimate Kho Kho has achieved a significant milestone this year as it secured Series A funding from the UK-based BNP Group and became the first sports league in India to secure private equity investment and was a testament to our commitment to propelling the trajectory of Kho-Kho, both within India and on the global stage.

    In our continued pursuit of making Ultimate Kho Kho larger, bolder, and the ultimate source of entertainment for Bharat, we strategically selected Odisha as the host for the highly anticipated Season 2. This decision was fueled by the ambition of elevating the profile of Kho Kho across the nation, and Odisha, being the sports infrastructure capital of India, provided the ideal platform for our vision. Beyond the promise of thrilling Kho Kho action, Season 2 marked the introduction of the NextGen. Thirty-three exceptionally talented players, aged between 16 and 18, were drafted, reflecting UKK’s dedication to identifying and nurturing emerging talent.

    Another significant accomplishment was the nomination of Nasreen Shaikh, the Indian women’s Kho Kho captain, for the prestigious Arjuna Award. This recognition is a substantial boost to women’s Kho Kho and sets the stage for the much-anticipated women’s Ultimate Kho Kho league in the country, which is currently in the works. Looking towards 2024, we aim to build an even more robust structure of Ultimate Kho Kho, driven for the players (both men’s & women’s) and inducting new team owners to develop the Kho Kho universe.

    U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok

    The sports ecosystem in the country has grown by leaps and bounds in 2023, transitioning from a nation of sports spectators towards becoming a truly dedicated sporting nation. This is evident in our remarkable performance at the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games, where we secured 107 and 111 medals, respectively. We are taking significant steps away from just Cricket too and to a diverse range of sports, reflecting our dedication to fostering a comprehensive sporting culture.

    Personally, through the strides made in Kabaddi through the Yuva Kabaddi series, we have witnessed a substantial boost at the grassroots level and its positive impact extending to the Pro Kabaddi League. Our investment in young talent is yielding results and we are confident that we are on the right track in terms of empowering the youth through sport.

    From the U Mumba perspective, we eagerly anticipate building on our early successes in the Pro Kabaddi League and aim to secure a spot in the playoffs this season. Through the Yuva Kabaddi series, we reached over 1000 Kabaddi players in 2023, and our goal is to surpass that number in the upcoming year. We aim to contribute more players to the Pro Kabaddi League and extend our impact to women’s Kabaddi across various states, establishing ourselves as a Pan-India sports product.

    The year 2023 has been a significant and positive chapter for sports in India, and we are looking forward to carrying this momentum into the future.

    Gamepoint co-founder & CEO Aditya Reddy

    In 2023, we experienced the first full year without any effects of Covid. The Indian sports ecosystem bounced back strongly achieving significant milestones in major international sports events. For instance, in the Asian Games, India surpassed a three-figure mark for the first time in the medal tally, securing 107 medals. Our remarkable journey in the Cricket World Cup included reaching the finals with ten consecutive wins. As common people returned to playing sports, there was a renewed interest. The government also played an active role by increasing India’s sports budget for FY 2023-24 by 11 per cent with a major chunk allocated to Khelo India to actively promote sports culture in India. Additionally, numerous sports startups emerged, while existing ones expanded operations nationwide.

    In 2023, Gamepoint trained 4000 students, enabled more than 1 lakh people to play sports and conducted 100 plus corporate sport events. Significant milestones for the company include partnering with Decathlon to promote sports and the launch of a new sport, Pickleball, at Gamepoint. On the financial side, an important achievement was to become EBITDA positive which is rare for sports companies in India.

    In 2024, we are looking forward to making an even bigger impact on the participative sports market and expanding Gamepoint from eight centres in one city to 16 centres in three cities. Also, the target in 2024 will be to increase our revenue share by 50 per cent.