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Top four football minds to discuss global fanbase and India’s growth at Leaders Meet: India
Mumbai: The Indian sports industry has seen an exhilarating journey in recent years. In 2022, it witnessed a surge in revenues, crossing the Rs 140 billion mark, recording a remarkable 49 percent increase from the preceding year. This, in itself, is a testament to the growing popularity of sports in India. While cricket continues to be a national passion, the excitement for diverse sports is reaching new heights. The Indian audience is now hooked to witness innovation, an enhanced experience, and greater engagement beyond the cricketing field.
Leaders Meet: India, to be held in Bengaluru on 29 and 30 November, steps in as a catalyst where dialogues and idea exchange will be the centre of this transformation. The event will bring together the biggest game changers from across the sporting world, offering a truly global perspective on the present and future of the sports industry and how India can become a powerhouse in the business of sports.
As we edge closer to the summit, here are four global sports leaders who have transformed and expanded the global football market and each, a trailblazer in their respective fields, will be sharing their perspectives and propelling discussion at the Leaders Meet: India.
FIFA’s primary focus is to expand and develop football as well as democratize the sport globally. FIFA+ witnessed 211 million unique users for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and 190 million views on match recaps. Recently, FIFA+ has also expanded its availability on five new connected TV app. In order to bring more benefits for football fans, FIFA Digital Skills was launched in 2022 as an educational programme to develop the digital skills and expertise of professionals working in the global football community. This was a pet project of Charlotte Burr. The platform also included a dedicated e-learning platform, case studies of best practices, analysis of the latest technological trends and a series of live masterclasses for the ever increasing football community. At the Leaders Meet: India, as FIFA’s director of strategy for corporate development and digital, Charlotte Burr will be presenting the importance of India as a football market and what are possibilities for India to explore and become one of the biggest football growth market in the world.
The Premier League’s annual TV audience is 4.7 billion and the game is viewed in 643 million homes worldwide. Fantasy Premier League too attracted 11.4 million participants from the world over last season and it became the primary touchpoint for the audience to engage with the league and develop a strong affinity with a particular club of liking. As Premier League chief commercial officer Will Brass will be giving an insider account on the business strategies about the world’s number one football league and also plans for India as a strong growth market for football.
As per latest statistical data, Manchester United had the highest average attendance in the Premier League in the 2023/24 season, attracting crowds of around 73,488 to Old Trafford. Meanwhile, city rivals and Premier League champions Manchester City had an average attendance of 53,427. The club stands third in the revenue list (2021-22) and aims to only grow stronger and bigger fanbase. Ellie, with Formula 1, led the sport to grow its fan base, defined its vision, value & purpose and delivered sustainable growth for the game globally. And now with Manchester United, as their chief communications officer, Ellie Norman has been keeping fans back at the heart of the club. During the Leaders Meet: India, she will give insights on the ups and down through strategic marketing, partnerships, content and fan engagement.
Tottenham Hotspur enjoy a massive fanbase in Korea as 12 million out of the country’s total population of 51 million supports the club which is almost one in four. Tottenham Hotspur has significantly hastened its digital development. The club revamped its website, recast its app and expanded its social media capabilities in line with this shift. While television growth has been significant, digital campaigns overtook traditional formats at Spurs. The club also fast-tracked its marketing tech stack build out and now has a strong following in the APAC region. To roll out the back story, Hotspur chief football officer Scott Munn will speak about the power of legacy fan base that will harness the Indian sub-continent football brand story at the Leaders Meet: 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.
