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Sportz Interactive gears up for global growth in 2024
Mumbai: Sportz Interactive (SI), along with its Singapore-based parent company, Sportz Solutions Global, is gearing up for international expansion in 2024 with an enhanced solution suite focused on maximising fan affinity and commercialisation for sports organisations. Embarking on this journey with SI is the lead investor in the Sportz Group, Marathon Edge, a leading Private Equity investor. The Sportz Group also aims to set up offices in Europe later this year.
For its next phase of global growth, the organisation is scaling up its products and services that focus on driving fan acquisition, retention and commercialisation for its customers through data, technology, and marketing solutions. The Sportz Group has also launched ‘Fanalytics’ as an offering that will help sports organisations get a deeper understanding of their fan base and drive tangible business outcomes.
The Sportz Group also announced a new organisational structure to align with this new expansion strategy. Arvind Iyengar will continue to serve as CEO, Sportz Solutions Global as well as chairman, Sportz Interactive. Iyengar also confirmed the appointment of Siddharth Raman as the CEO of Sportz Interactive.
Prior to this, Raman was deputy CEO and had joined SI as chief business officer in 2017. Sanket Sawkar, who is part of the founding team, will continue in his role as Group CTO and COO for Sportz Interactive.
Founded in 2002, the organisation’s journey from a humble garage space to its current sporty ‘arena’ is a reflection of how the business has successfully evolved over the years – even during the pandemic years. The Sportz Group’s products and services have impacted millions of fans around the world. The organisation’s customers cover multiple stakeholders in the sports ecosystem including international federations, broadcasters, franchises, media houses, technology companies, brands, and sponsors from around the world. Some of its marquee clients include UEFA, The Olympics, NBA, F1, Google, BCCI, FIH, Jio Cinema, Dream11 and multiple IPL franchises.
Sportz Solutions Global CEO and Sportz Interactive chairman Arvind Iyengar said: “We are all extremely excited about the new solution suite we have developed that focuses on driving fan acquisition, retention, and commercialisation for our customers. These solutions, coupled with our core data, technology and content offerings provide a one-stop shop to organisations looking to supercharge their sports fan experience.”
Speaking on the development, Marathon Edge partner Nikhil Raghavan added: “Sports organisations around the world are grappling with how to engage and monetise their fan base in the digital world. The Sportz Group has shown incredible thought leadership in envisioning a solution suite that opens new revenue streams while also increasing fans’ affinity to their team or sport.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
