RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit 2025: Key Speakers & Insights | RCB IPL 2025

The RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit Powered by Leaders is back for its highly anticipated second season, set to take place on March 14 and 15, 2025, at the Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru. Following its remarkable debut in 2023, the summit aims to bring together some of the most influential voices in sports to discuss policies, innovations, and strategies to propel India toward becoming a global sporting powerhouse by the 2036 Summer Olympics.

Virat Kohli, Moya Dodd, and Other Sporting Icons to Speak

This year’s event will feature a star-studded lineup of speakers, including RCB legend Virat Kohli, double Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh, and former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik. They will be joined by Moya Dodd, former FIFA Executive Committee Member and a prominent advocate for sports governance and reform. The summit will host a diverse range of voices from across the sporting world, including policymakers, administrators, and business leaders.

Among the high-profile attendees are:

• Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

• Nick Brown, FIFA Representative

• Karthik Balagopalan, MD and CEO, PUMA

• Siddharth Patel, Managing Partner, CVC Capital Partners

• Darren Henry, Commercial Director, British Cycling

• Michele Ciccarese, Commercial and Marketing Director, Lega Serie A

• Chloe Targett-Adams, Chief Commercial Officer, Surj Sports Investment

• Jalaj Dani, Co-founder, Dani Foundation & Chairman, IIT Trichy Board of Governors

• Prashanth Shawn Doss, Chief Business Officer, Elevate

• Vita Dani, Co-founder, Ultimate Table Tennis and Dani Foundation

These personalities, along with numerous others, will engage in thought-provoking discussions centered on the four key pillars of sports development Commerce, Technology, Performance, and Societal Impact.

Building a Roadmap for India’s Sporting Future

The summit’s primary objective is to foster conversations that will shape India's sporting ecosystem and establish a sustainable framework to develop world-class athletes. RCB COO Rajesh Menon highlighted the importance of this platform in driving meaningful reform.

“The RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit is a transformative step in advancing India’s sporting ambitions. This platform brings together all stakeholders with a shared vision to drive reform and ensure consistency in tackling the challenges of building a robust sports ecosystem. While India is already a cricketing powerhouse, we must create an equally strong system across all sports,” he stated.

The event will focus on how public-private partnerships can accelerate India’s sporting growth, ensuring access to better infrastructure, training, and governance. The discussions will also address challenges such as athlete development, sponsorship, and the role of global collaborations in elevating Indian sports to international standards.

A Platform for Global Sports Leaders

Beyond cricket, the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit serves as a bridge connecting India’s sports industry with global trends and innovations. Laura McQueen, Managing Director of Leaders in Sport, emphasized the value of bringing together key figures who can influence policy and create a lasting impact.

“When some of the brightest minds with a shared vision come together, the outcomes are often dynamic and leave a lasting impact on the community. At Leaders in Sport, we are thrilled to be part of this journey for the second year. We are confident this summit will create meaningful connections and help accelerate India’s sports-forward narrative,” she remarked.

Driving India’s Sporting Vision Towards 2036

A significant takeaway from the summit will be its role in laying the groundwork for India’s ambitions at the 2036 Olympics. While cricket has been India’s dominant sport, there is growing emphasis on developing a more inclusive sporting culture that nurtures talent across disciplines such as football, hockey, athletics, and combat sports.

The presence of decision-makers, top athletes, and industry leaders at the summit will provide a platform for actionable strategies that can be implemented at grassroots and elite levels. Whether it’s boosting investment in training facilities, leveraging technology for performance analytics, or developing long-term commercial sustainability, the discussions will play a crucial role in shaping India’s sporting trajectory.

A Defining Moment for Indian Sports

With RCB at the forefront of this movement, the Indian Sports Summit 2025 represents an unparalleled opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate and craft a blueprint for sporting excellence. The engagement of international experts alongside Indian sports leaders will further enhance the credibility and impact of the discussions.

The two-day event is expected to deliver insights that will not only shape immediate policies but also create a long-term vision for India’s emergence as a global sporting superpower.