The Impressive TimesBengaluru, Feb 04, 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana has emphasized the transformative impact of platforms like the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in shaping the careers of female athletes. She highlighted the increasing financial independence and global exposure that women cricketers are now experiencing.
“It’s truly inspiring to witness women cricketers earning independently and gaining recognition through leagues like the WPL. I hope similar success stories emerge in other sports as well,” Mandhana stated on Monday.
Her vision aligns closely with the objectives set forth in the ‘Sports-Forward Nation’ report, released by RCB in collaboration with the Sports and Society Accelerator. This report lays out a strategic framework for the development of India’s sporting landscape, focusing on essential aspects such as commerce, technology, athlete performance, and social impact.
The comprehensive report introduces a ten-step roadmap designed to build a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem. It underscores the importance of making sports accessible at all levels while ensuring commercial viability, leveraging technological advancements, and fostering athletic excellence. Mandhana’s aspirations for broader recognition and opportunities for female athletes resonate deeply with the report’s vision.
Rajesh Menon, Chief Operating Officer of RCB, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to reshaping Indian sports. “We are dedicated to playing a key role in the growth of Indian sports. Building an integrated and efficient sports ecosystem is crucial,” Menon stated. He highlighted initiatives such as the Made of Bold sports development program and the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit as significant steps toward this goal.
The report envisions a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, where sports play a fundamental role in the country’s growth. It proposes sustainable policies, talent development pathways, high-performance strategies, and regulatory advancements to create a more competitive and inclusive sporting environment.
Insights from the report stem from discussions at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, held in November 2023. The summit featured prominent personalities such as G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, and star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who contributed valuable perspectives on India’s sports future.
Looking forward, the next RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit is scheduled for March 14-15, 2025, in Bengaluru. The event will provide a platform for further deliberations on India’s journey toward becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
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