IIT-Madras to provide Rs 5 crore to sports startups; to introduce 4-year course on sports science

The institute also aims to support Indian government initiatives and various sports bodies' efforts towards hosting the Olympics in 2036.

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The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) announced that they will provide an investment of up to Rs 5 crore to selected sports startups for a period of five years. In a two day sports tech startups conclave which is taking place in New Delhi, the institute announced that they aim to support at least 200 sports tech startups, in a period of five years.

The funding for the selected startups will be provided by the IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies.

During the conclave, Prof V Kamakoti, Director, of IIT Madras said, “With the ever-increasing intervention of technology in sports, the Institute is committed to bringing sports and technology together. We believe that the market for sports technology will be significant and hence comes a necessity to develop indigenous products for Indian sportspersons, right from monitoring their health to progress in their respective sports.”

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New four-year course on Sports Science

Additionally, IIT Madras will introduce a four year course on sports science soon. The course is set up as a part of IIT Madras’ Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA) which aims to boost deep tech start-ups in the sports sector.

Speaking with indianexpress.com, professor Mahesh Panchagula who is the head of CESSA, said that they are still working on course modalities such as eligibility, course structure among others. “What we have already started is with four to eight weeks courses on topics like sports psychology, exercise physiology, strengthening conditioning, food nutrition among other courses. These courses are open to anyone. Students will be able to learn from the best people,” said Mahesh Panchagula.

The Madras-based institute will also introduce sports management courses.

IIT Madras’ Centre has made inroads in sports like Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, Game and Training analysis, sensor board for both Tennis and Badminton. The sports channel ESPN is already using IIT Madras’ smart tech which deepens the view of the game and increases fan engagement.

The institute also aims to support Indian government initiatives and various sports bodies’ efforts towards hosting the Olympics in 2036. Experts are aiming to support the initiative in such a way that Indian players win at least 50 medals in the tournament.

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IIT Madras is also collaborating with the National Centre for Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) address issues in sectors like AI, data analysis and Archery. Along with it, the institute launched EduSwasth, an initiative for tech intervention in school physical education in India.

Meanwhile, the Institute also unveiled tech driven plans make India a global chess powerhouse. They are aimed at enhancing fan engagement, provide solutions for federations to flag cheating and chess training programs to further grow the sports at the grassroots level.

IIT Madras CESSA also plans to offer courses for upgrading skills and undertake specific steps to train various players in the sports value chain in India as part of its sports education initiative.

These initiatives will cover sportspersons, PE instructors, coaches, referees, analysts, physiologists, nutritionists, umpires, sports presenters and management personnel. As part of this IIT Madras CESSA plans to launch five new courses in sports on NPTEL in the coming months.