IIT-Madras Fuels Sports Revolution with Rs 5 Crore for Startups and New 4-Year Course

Sports Innovation and Education: IIT-Madras Invests Big in Sports Startups and Start Degree Courses in Sports

On 13th July Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) declared that it will invest up to Rs 5 crore for five years in a few chosen sports startups. The announcement was made during a two-day sports tech startups summit which was held on 2nd  July  in New Delhi stating that they hope to sponsor 200 or more sports tech firms over the course of five years. IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies will supply the financing to the chosen firms. The institute is dedicated to fusing technology and sports because intervention of technology is increasing in the sports. Its is believed that there will be a sizable market for sports technology, which is necessary to create indigenous products for Indian sportspersons, from health monitoring to helping them advance in their particular sports as stated by Prof. V Kamakoti, the director of IIT Madras.

Adding to the thrilling news for sports-loving students, for the academic year 2025, IIT Madras will launch a 4-year sports science program. The objective behind this is to support deep tech startups in the sports industry. The training is organised under the auspices of the Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA) at IIT Madras. The chairman of CESSA, professor Mahesh Panchagula, stated in an interview with Indian Express that they are now working on course modalities like eligibility and course structure, among other things. These four to eight week courses covering subjects like exercise physiology, sports psychology, strengthening conditioning, and food nutrition are just a few of the majors that have already started. Anyone can enrol in these courses and learn from the best instructors, stated Mahesh Panchagula. Sports management courses will also be offered by this Madras-based institution adding to varied departments one can hone their skills.

Sports including Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, Game and Training analysis, and sensor boards for Badminton and Tennis have all seen excelling at the IIT Madras Center. The institute’s intelligent technology is already being used by the sports channel ESPN, which broadens the game's perspective and boosts fan interaction. The institute also seeks to assist various sporting organisations and government initiatives in India in their endeavours to host the Olympics in 2036. The goal of the initiative's support, according to experts, is for Indian athletes to achieve at least 50 medals in the competition.

To solve challenges in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), data analysis, and archery, IIT Madras is also working with the National Centre for Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR). Concurrently, the institute introduced EduSwasth, an endeavour aimed at integrating technology into physical education in Indian schools. The Institute has revealed intentions on its tech driven plans to turn India into a world chess powerhouse. Their objectives include raising fan engagement, offering federations ways to stop flag cheating, and developing chess teaching initiatives to develop the sport at the grassroot level. As part of its sports education program, IIT Madras CESSA also intends to provide skill-upgrading courses and specialised steps to train different players  in the Indian sports value chain. Sportsmen, PE instructors, coaches, umpires, analyzers, physiologists, nutritionists, sports presenters and management staff will all be covered by these projects. IIT Madras CESSA intends to introduce five new sports courses on NPTEL in the upcoming months as part of this.

Editor’s Note:

IIT Madras is demonstrating its excellence in sports technology through steady and continuous strides in the field. Recently, the institution hosted a groundbreaking two-day sports conclave in Delhi, which brought together sports enthusiasts and technology experts, showcasing the synergy between sports and technology. Building on this momentum, IIT Madras has launched new projects that promise to significantly influence the sports sector by advancing the integration of science and technology in sports. The introduction of these initiatives, coupled with IIT Madras's robust educational program and generous funding, is expected to shape the future of sports in India. Skoobuzz encourages all sports fans and students aspiring to pursue a career in sports to take advantage of this exciting new opportunity.