Hyderabad, Aug 3 (NationPress) Renowned sports legends Kapil Dev, Baichung Bhutia, Abhinav Bindra, Pullela Gopichand, and Gagan Narang have united to launch a groundbreaking governance initiative aimed at transforming Indian sports. This collaborative effort seeks to fortify grassroots talent, enhance infrastructure, and promote excellence for comprehensive sports development.

By establishing clear pathways for athletes and aligning with the state’s innovative sports policy, this initiative places Telangana at the forefront of India’s sporting aspirations, spearheading a nationwide sports renaissance.

Comprising these iconic athletes alongside prominent administrators and influential industry figures, the newly formed Board of Governors for the Telangana Sports Development Fund (TSDF) represents a pioneering public–private model intended to bolster grassroots frameworks, encourage excellence across various sports, and serve as a national template for cultivating India’s future champions.

The Board harmonizes practical sporting insights with institutional and corporate acumen, featuring notable leaders such as RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group Chairman Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, whose strategic investments span multiple sports including cricket, and Vita Dani, a key player in advancing Indian table tennis. The board also includes visionary women in sports like Kavya Maran, CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Upasana Kamineni Reddy, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Foundation, who contribute fresh ideas and a strong commitment to inclusive sports growth.

“I am confident that this sports policy will significantly enhance sports development not only in our state but across the nation. Telangana has a rich legacy of sporting success. To elevate India to a true sporting superpower, we must regard sports as a vital element of holistic growth, and establishing this governing body will provide sports development a genuine opportunity,” stated Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who unveiled the initiative as part of the state’s expansive new sports policy on Saturday.

Uniting credible voices from cricket, football, badminton, shooting, and volleyball, the Telangana Sports Development Fund (TSDF) symbolizes an unprecedented collaboration of India’s premier athletic, corporate, and administrative leaders. Functioning with independent decision-making and a spirit of collaboration, it is dedicated to cultivating a future-ready ecosystem that prioritizes transparency, excellence, and sustainable growth.

The TSDF model emphasizes strong funding, athlete development, infrastructure enhancement, training of physical education teachers, and focused investment in Olympic sports, with this board responsible for joint decision-making and transparent execution.

During a panel discussion at the Telangana Sports Conclave, Olympian Gagan Narang passionately advocated for reimagining India’s sports development strategy. “PPP (Public-Private Partnership) is a commonly used term, but we often overlook the original PPP — Policy, Programme, and Performance. Embrace this PPP, and the other will follow. Telangana could lead the way in implementing this.”

This initiative, while grounded in Telangana, is nationally significant in a country where consistent support for sports beyond cricket is frequently disjointed. As Bindra emphasized, “We must cultivate a playing population, not just participants. Grassroots development should transcend medals; it should nurture a passion for sports, build systems, and empower trained physical education teachers to take charge. Only then will India truly emerge as a sporting nation.”

The newly established board brings together a diverse array of elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and administrators, including Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group and owner of IPL and ISL teams; Upasana Kamineni, a wellness entrepreneur and CSR advocate; Vita Dani, Co-owner of Ultimate Table Tennis and Chairperson of the Dani Foundation; Kavya Maran, Director at Sun TV Network; and C. Shashidhar, Managing Director of the Vishawa Samudra Group. Additional board members include Pullela Gopichand, Dronacharya awardee and chief badminton coach; volleyball administrator Ravikanth Reddy; Indian football legend Baichung Bhutia; Olympic gold medallist and shooter Abhinav Bindra; and 1983 World Cup-winning cricket captain Kapil Dev. The board is further enhanced by B.V. Papa Rao, a former IAS officer and sports reform advocate; Injeti Srinivas, former Secretary of Sports; Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of Telangana; and Shivasena Reddy, Chairman of the Sports Authority of Telangana.

With this diverse leadership guiding the blueprint, the Telangana model has the potential to serve as a scalable framework for other states — and perhaps inspire a national policy re-evaluation.

From medals to mindsets, and from participation to podiums, India’s sporting destiny may very well be shaped by these collaborative initiatives.