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Rafael Nadal’s UAX School and Sportzprix serve up digital sports marketing masterclass
NEW DELHI: India’s booming sports economy is about to get a masterstroke of a makeover. Spanish tennis titan Rafael Nadal’s UAX Rafa Nadal University School in Madrid has teamed up with homegrown grassroots sports platform Sportzprix to launch a power-packed online master’s in digital sports marketing — tailor-made for Indian students, marketers and sportpreneurs.
This slick nine-month course blends Nadal’s high-performance mindset with UAX’s academic muscle, landing right in the sweet spot of India’s Rs-crore sports marketing boom. Set to launch in October 2025, the course aims to plug the yawning skills gap in fan engagement, sponsorships, digital influence and league building. Think Champions League meets Indian Super League — in the classroom.
There’s a desi twist too. The curriculum comes with an India-specific module co-crafted by Sportzprix, covering everything from IPL-style formats and homegrown brand tie-ups to cricket’s influencer economy. Open to graduates, athletes and professionals, the course also includes an optional on-ground immersion at the UAX Rafa Nadal campus in Madrid — for those who fancy some Spanish sun and sports business savvy.
“With India bidding for global events like Olympics, CWG and the domestic leagues becoming bigger and more professional India is poised for a sports revolution, and marketing will play a central role in shaping its future. Our partnership with UAX Rafa Nadal University School brings world-class sports education to Indian students and professionals at the click of a button,” said Sportsprix co-founder & CEO Prasad Mangipudi.
The ace himself weighed in too. Rafael Nadal, founder, mentor and tennis legend, said: “I’ve always believed in the powerful synergy between education and sport. Sport shapes individuals, but without academic grounding, its impact is incomplete. The UAX Rafa Nadal University School excites me because it embodies this alliance — blending education, specialization, and industry relevance. In a rapidly evolving world, we aim to stay ahead by anticipating market needs, and with the exceptional team we have, I’m confident we’ll deliver exactly what the industry demands.”
“The UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sport is designed to shape the future leaders of the sports industry, combining UAX’s academic experience with the sport values that have defined Rafa Nadal’s career: effort, humility, discipline, and perseverance. We focus on training the next generation of professionals in the multi-sports industry and sport technology, combining academic excellence with the values and experience of Rafa Nadal and his team”, pointed out UAX Rafa Nadal University School director Miguel Palencia Yllera.
Backed by a bullish Google–Deloitte report that pegs India’s sports industry to hit $130 billion by 2030, the timing couldn’t be sharper. With league culture thriving, digital viewership spiking, and sports start-ups multiplying, this course arrives as the perfect training ground for India’s next-gen sports marketers.
Applications are now open. Details are live on www.sportzprix.com/sportsed/UAX and the official UAX Rafa Nadal University School website.
Game on, India.
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.
