For more than 20 years, a trailblazing leader has been writing an incredible success story in the field of sports education in India. The Institute of Sports Science & Technology (ISST) in Pune has rapidly become India’s leading center for sports and fitness education because to the innovative leadership of its founder and director, Dr. Vipul Lunawat. He, who holds a Ph.D. in Sports Management and has over 20 years of distinguished experience, has been the driving force behind ISST’s unique programs, helping players, managers and sports support staff reach their full potential. He is an accomplished sports administrator, entrepreneur and certified coach who has instructed more than 3,000 children, represented India in international competitions and won multiple national honours. Under his inspiring direction, it has transformed sports education in India and produced a new generation of athletes who are becoming well-known throughout the world! Due to his outstanding qualifications, love of sports and dedication to quality, he has established himself as a preeminent expert in Indian sports education. A dynamic network of academics, athletes and professionals who share his vision for revolutionising India’s sports ecosystem has been established as a result of his commitment to promoting a culture of innovation, inclusivity and excellence. It is the ideal starting point for your athletic career because of its cutting-edge programs, knowledgeable professors and dedication to quality.
Excerpts from interview:
When you switched from sports to education and enterprise, what was the most important turning point?
I found it somewhat challenging to balance my studies with competing as a full-time athlete. However, sports are so amazing that they teach you the most important life lessons. I’ve learned to work hard, never give up and most importantly, be resilient thanks to sports. Being a full-time athlete taught me how to efficiently manage my time so that I could concentrate on my schoolwork as well. When I applied to a few prestigious universities and institutes to pursue a master’s degree in sports management, it was a turning point in my transition from an athlete to an educational entrepreneur. While I was doing research for my higher education studies at some of the world’s best colleges, I had the notion to launch the first sports management program in India. I discovered that the majority of the concepts covered in these programs were comparable to those covered in the MBA degree I was pursuing. With my marketing master’s degree and my understanding of sports from the viewpoints of coaches and athletes, along with the help of my mother Ujwala Lunawat and mentor Dr. P. C. Shejwalkar, we made the decision to start India’s first sports management program in 2009 at the Institute of Sports Science & Technology in Pune.
What difficulties did you encounter in establishing ISST?
India’s first sports education institute, it was founded with the goal of enhancing Indian sports and giving players and students the chance to pursue careers in sports while participating in them. In a tiny space in my garage, I launched ISST, a start-up project. At first, I had only my parents’ and my mentor Shejwalkar sir’s support—no financial backing, no investment and no prior experience managing an educational business. I was the founder, the director, the salesperson, the office boy and many other positions throughout the first few years of the company’s existence. I recall talking to a number of sports gurus about this notion and many of them told me to give up because it would never work. Nobody could have predicted that this ambitious project would grow into such a distinctive business that offers different sports fans the chance to pursue careers in sports. Since the beginning, it has been a bootstrapped firm and there have been numerous times when I’ve considered quitting since managing the finances has been difficult. However, just as sports teach us to never give up, I kept up the good work and now we are among India’s leading providers of sports instruction.
Based on your vast experience as a manager and coach, what are the most important qualities that you think aspiring athletes and sports professionals require?
To succeed in their sport, many athletes put forth a lot of effort, blood, sweat, heart and soul. Due to the growth of sports, many athletes now achieve immediate financial success after winning medals at major competitions, championships, or events. Their social media following grows rapidly, they receive unexpected media exposure, advertisers want them to promote their brands and they have a sizable fan base. This fame and glory frequently diverts them from their goals for their athletic careers, leading them to make poor choices and say inappropriate things that could land them in legal hot water. Athletes are trained to improve their skills via practice and dedication. Athletes are trained to win; while some elite athletes are able to cope with setbacks, many are not taught how to maintain the success and notoriety they attain when at the top. In essence, sports management programs train students how to deal with all of these problems. These athletes may manage their jobs more easily and make growth investments even after their athletic careers are done if they have knowledge of good communication techniques, financial management, marketing, public relations and legal issues, among other things.
As an athlete and coach who has competed internationally for India, what structural or cultural adjustments do you think the country should do to raise its profile in international sports?
I firmly think that India’s sports governance system has to undergo significant transformation. Even after all these years, India continues to suffer from inadequate sports governance, which has prevented many excellent sports organisations from making an impact on the global scene. Politicians and those with vested interests occupy many high positions in many sports federations and organisations. Top nations with solid administration through their national sports federations are typically the ones who perform well in international competitions. A successful sports organisation must have accountability, transparency, a strong governance structure and a long-term vision. These elements are mostly lacking in Indian sports, with the exception of a small number of organisations that have had success with its athletes abroad. Regarding culture, it is true that India and other major sports-playing nations like Australia, China, or the US have quite different perspectives on sports. While we still struggle to provide students with an hour of athletics per day in schools, sports are a way of life in these countries. Therefore, it is crucial to have a strong sports culture that is ingrained in the nation’s way of life in order to produce winners who will triumph at international competitions and bring honours home. It is urgently necessary to concentrate on grassroots sport development by increasing the number of sporting events and implementing a systematic program for identifying talent in each discipline.
How have sports professionals’ needs changed, in your perspective?
I believe that technology has significantly changed the nature of sport during the past 20 years. In order to enhance athlete performance and examine how sports are seen and played, we must take into account the most recent developments in the field as well as the new technology being utilised at sporting events! Today’s educational institutions must always be alert to how technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and others can alter the way people watch sports. More employment opportunities will arise as sports participation rises and as more opportunities arise, more positions for sports professionals will become available. Educational institutions must to be prepared to investigate and impart the skill sets needed for these demanding new positions.
How can you modify your coaching techniques to motivate every person, regardless of where they are coming from?
A coach who can help pupils who struggle with mental blockages or who are not particularly engaged in sports or physical exercise is more successful than one who has a lot of medal-winning athletes. To deal with elite athletes and instruct a 3-year-old child, a coach needs to possess a variety of skills. Enjoying the game and the process is what matters most in sports. To improve in sports, a good coach should instill in his or her athletes a passion for the routine rather than viewing it as a challenging chore. An athlete doesn’t need to train hard to get better once they discover how much they like the sport; instead, progress occurs naturally. When working with young athletes, gamification is a crucial coaching tool for grassroots sport development. It is equally successful when working with elite athletes.
How do you see this market developing in India given the rising popularity of adventure sports?
In the west, adventure sports are quite popular, but in India, they are viewed more as entertainment and leisure. Adventure sports are undoubtedly gaining popularity in India, but it will take some time before they become recognised as professional sports in which one may pursue a career. Through its many initiatives, it hopes to produce knowledgeable, seasoned experts who will lead Indian sports in the future and contribute to the growth of specialised sports to increase chances for adventure sports enthusiasts.
How has your business sense affected your approach to managing a sports institute as a professional qualified by IIM Ahmedabad?
Being a business owner requires full-time work. Prior to enrolling in the IIM Ahmedabad Young Entrepreneurs Program, I managed my company as an individual who was active in every step of the procedure. Delegating work, freeing up time for critical activities and automating procedures were the topics of our first session at IIM A. In order to put productivity at the forefront of development, we were instructed to establish procedures for every organisational process. Making effective use of the resources available to you is crucial while operating a self-funded business. Striking a balance between participation in daily operations and business development is crucial. I applied a variety of business management skills, such as marketing, financial management, business strategy and human resource management, which enabled me to quickly expand our institute’s activities. In order to introduce a professional approach to our company, we have always aimed to operate this business as a corporate entity.
In the near future, how can technological advancements impact coaching and athlete development?
The application of technology has elevated sports science to a new level and significantly altered athletic performance. In today’s professional sports, physical conditioning is crucial. Technology is practically used in every way to help sportsmen perform better. Numerous technologies, sensors and devices are employed to evaluate every one of these crucial elements of sports performance, from evaluation to analysis, performance improvement to injury recovery. The development of AI has significantly disrupted the tech sector today. AI applications that may be examined in the near future include performance analysis and sports program design. Sports-specific training may now be done from a different angle thanks to the use of technologies like AR and VR. Athletes of different skill levels can be managed and performance development tracked using a variety of coaching tools. Technology use will undoubtedly play a significant role in improving sports performance and identifying talent to win big international tournaments.
