Smriti Mandhana Champions India’s Sporting Future with ‘Sports-Forward Nation’ Report

A Vision for a Sports-Driven India

As India continues to establish itself as a global sporting powerhouse, there is a growing need for structured and sustainable development in the sports ecosystem. Recognizing this, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in collaboration with the Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA), has launched the ‘Sports-Forward Nation’ report.

The report provides a comprehensive framework for accelerating sports growth in India, focusing on commerce, technology, performance, and societal impact. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana has actively championed this movement, advocating for a system-driven approach to create an environment where athletes across all disciplines can thrive.

The Four Pillars of the Sports-Forward Nation

The ‘Sports-Forward Nation’ report is built on four fundamental pillars that are crucial for India’s sporting growth:

1. Commerce: Enhancing financial investments in sports, increasing sponsorships, and making leagues commercially sustainable.
2. Technology: Integrating AI, data analytics, and sports science to elevate athlete performance and injury prevention.
3. Performance: Establishing talent pathways, high-performance training centers, and coaching development programs.
4. Societal Impact: Promoting grassroots participation, gender inclusivity, and physical activity awareness to make sports an integral part of Indian culture.

The report provides a ten-step roadmap that outlines key strategies to elevate sports at all levels—from grassroots initiatives to elite competitions.

Smriti Mandhana: A Strong Advocate for Sports Growth

Smriti Mandhana, who has played a pivotal role in transforming women’s cricket in India, emphasized the importance of this initiative.

"To see India as a Sports-Forward Nation would mean a lot to all of us sportspersons. Domestic cricket, the IPL, and now the WPL are excellent examples of how cricket has benefited from a robust system. With the Women’s Premier League, many domestic players are earning independently and gaining valuable exposure. I want to see such success stories in other sports as well. If we can use sports as a driver for positive change, it would be truly impactful," said Mandhana.

Her leadership and commitment to women’s sports development have played a crucial role in encouraging young girls to take up professional sports.

RCB’s Commitment to Sports Development

RCB, known for its progressive approach in cricket, aims to be a key contributor to India’s sports growth beyond just cricket.

Rajesh Menon, Chief Operating Officer of RCB, highlighted the franchise’s commitment:

"At RCB, we aim to be center-stage participants in India’s sports growth story. The IPL has given us insights into the commercial and performance aspects of sports. With initiatives like the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, we want to actively contribute to developing an ecosystem that runs efficiently. Becoming a champion nation in sports requires a long-term vision, and we hope to help build that vision."

The RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit first launched in November 2023 as a global forum to discuss sports development. Insights from leading figures like Amitabh Kant (India’s G20 Sherpa), Olympians Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra, and IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal were instrumental in shaping the Sports-Forward Nation roadmap.

Roadmap 2047: A Blueprint for India’s Sporting Future

The report also presents a long-term vision titled "Roadmap 2047", aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat mission. It includes:

• Sustainable Policy Blueprint – Establishing long-term governance models for sports.
• Talent Pathways Creation – Strengthening grassroots scouting and athlete development.
• High-Performance Strategy – Enhancing training programs and sports science infrastructure.
• Regulatory Capacity Development – Implementing governance structures to protect athletes' rights.
• Sports Technology Vision – Encouraging data-driven decision-making in training and game strategy.
• Private Participation – Increasing corporate investment in sports leagues and academies.
• Active Frameworks – Promoting sports as a way of life across all age groups.
• Economic Drivers – Creating employment opportunities in the sports industry.
• Inclusive Development – Ensuring gender parity and opportunities for differently-abled athletes.
• Capacity Building – Training coaches, referees, and administrators to maintain global standards.

The roadmap will be a key discussion point at the next RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, scheduled for March 14-15, 2025, in Bengaluru.

The Role of SSA in Sports Development

The Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA), a non-profit organization, plays a crucial role in policy, research, and capacity building. Their goal is to make India a "Lighthouse Nation for Sports" by 2047, ensuring universal participation in physical activity.

By collaborating with government bodies, civil society organizations, and private enterprises, SSA aims to create a data-driven sports ecosystem.

RCB’s Contribution Beyond Cricket

Beyond cricket, RCB has expanded into multiple ventures, aligning with its #PlayBold philosophy. These include:

• RCB Hustle – A fitness product promoting an active lifestyle.
• Dash of RCB – A premium line of non-alcoholic cocktail mixers.
• RCB Bar & Café – A growing chain, now present at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.

RCB’s commitment to sports infrastructure and development extends beyond cricket stadiums to innovation labs, summits, and community programs.

Conclusion: A Collective Vision for a Stronger Sporting Nation

The ‘Sports-Forward Nation’ initiative is a bold step towards a structured sports ecosystem in India. With insights from industry leaders, athletes, and policymakers, the report lays out a clear roadmap to make sports an integral part of India’s growth story.

With Smriti Mandhana advocating for gender inclusivity and RCB taking a leadership role in sports development, this initiative holds the potential to reshape India’s sporting future.

As India aims to become a global sporting powerhouse, it is initiatives like these that will pave the way for future generations of athletes. The Sports-Forward Nation movement is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together and build a sustainable, high-performance sports ecosystem.

For further details, you can download the Sports-Forward Nation report from the official RCB website.