Hyderabad, Dec.6 (RAHNUMA): Telangana has set an ambitious target to ensure representation in every sport India competes in at the 2036 Olympic Games, Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said at the “Sports Tech Podium 2025” held at T-Hub.
The state aims to build a strong grassroots-to-global sports ecosystem through its sports policy, cutting-edge infrastructure, and private sector participation. Plans for a dedicated “Sports University” and a large-scale “Sports City project” with Dubai Sports City and GMR Sports are also underway.
Startups and investors who participated included Centre Court Capital, LegaXy, Impetus Sports Capital, Hyderabad Angels, TDV Partners, Anthill Ventures, and SucSeed Innovation Fund.
On this occasion, Jayesh Ranjan said, “Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy himself is a sports enthusiast who has given Telangana’s sports ecosystem unprecedented support. The policy includes everything needed to identify and grow new-age sports talent. The Government intends to gradually move away from direct involvement in sports operations, encouraging private sector participation and industry-led growth. “We are even coming up with a dedicated Sports University.”
Hyderabad is fast becoming ‘India’s Sports Tech and Innovation Capital’ as startups, investors and policymakers gathered at the Sports Tech Podium 2025. Top venture funds and angel networks, including Hyderabad Angels, Impetus Sports Capital and Centre Court Capital, participated, underscoring Telangana’s growing dominance in sports innovation and technology-led athlete development. Telangana is set to get a massive Sports City project, with a key MoU expected between Dubai Sports City and GMR Sports during the Telangana Rising Global Summit on December 8–9. The project is expected to boost international-standard infrastructure and position Telangana as a global sports investment hub.
According to Ratnakar Samavedam, CEO and managing partner of Hyderabad Angels, only about 10% of India’s population plays sports passively, and just 0.01% participates in serious competitive sports. Cricket continues to dominate as the country’s largest sport with an estimated 655-million fan base.
Further, India’s sports ecosystem is on the verge of rapid expansion, with experts projecting massive business potential as participation in competitive sports rises. The global sports tech market, currently valued at USD 19 billion, is expected to touch USD 40 billion by 2030, growing at a 16% CAGR, far above the global industry average.
