The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised the 1st edition of the Summit on the Business of Sports and Entertainment, at Mumbai on the 21st September, 2016. The Summit saw the participation of eminent sports and industry representatives.
Dempo Sports Club Pvt. Ltd was prominent in attending and supporting the event as Platinum Sponsor.. Group Chairman Shrinivas V Dempo moderated a session at the Summit in his capacity as its Chair.
The Summit saw discussions on matters relating to the corporatisation of sports, and on developing the next-gen in the emerging scenario. along with a focus on grassroots and the business of leagues.
A report entitled “The Business of Sports” was also launched today by CII in association with KPMG during the Summit.
“Indian sports arena has now matured – gone are the days of playing amateur sports, we now have a high level of professionalism in our games” said the Chief Guest, Mr. Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation at the proceedings. He also commented that sports should be taken up as a serious career option as even sportspersons have to support their families, plan retirement and so on, just like any other professional. Talking on the infrastructural aspect of the sports industry, Mr. Patel remarked that the country needs many more stadiums and other infrastructure that are dedicated to sports other than just cricket. Multipurpose, non-cricket stadiums will go a long way in encouraging other sporting activities as well, he said.
Chairman Shrinivas Dempo said, “The last 5-7 years have been the most dynamic for the sports industry in India with some fundamental changes. Sports not only provides an active branding and marketing opportunity to investors, but has also created value for fans all across. Sports is what gets the people of this country together, it has the great power to unite the nation. Addition of various sporting leagues in India have invited tremendous support and presence of corporate sector. Against this backdrop, CII is proud to organize the Summit on Business of Sports and Entertainment in Mumbai”. Mr. Dempo also remarked that we need to create and showcase more heroes and make it aspirational for the younger generations, adding, “We must create the eco-system that would not only attract more talent, but also invite greater investments in this sector. Sports needs to be viewed in a more serious light.”
Mr. Jay Mehta, Group Director, Mehta Group & IPL Franchise Owner, Kolkata Knight Riders said that sporting is a serious business. One must do the valuations extremely carefully and choose the correct people and partners to make a winning team. “Build a family and nurture it” says Mr. Mehta. He said he believed that one must get emotionally involved in this business and treat every player, member with the same respect and dignity. Mr. Mehta shared a few pitfalls that he faced in the initial couple of years. But with time, he learned, he said, to master them and take the right decisions, as a result of which Kolkata Knight Riders had emerged as the top rated cricketing side in the IPL team in recent years.
Dempo Sports Club Pvt. Ltd are proud to have supported this breakthrough event, demonstrating responsibility, commitment to sport and a pledge to excellence in the business of sport!
