Udupi
The Manipal Academy of Higher Education has partnered with TENVIC Sports to launch new academic programmes aimed at transforming India’s sports ecosystem through integrated education, technology, and athlete development.
The initiative was announced in Udupi and marks the first phase of a broader collaboration between the two institutions. The programmes will focus on specialised areas such as sports business management, data analytics in sports, and artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in athletics.
Officials said the courses are designed to equip students and professionals with industry-ready skills for the rapidly growing sports sector. The offerings will be delivered through the MAHE Plus digital platform, with flexible formats including online, blended, and classroom learning.
As part of the collaboration, the institutions also plan to establish high-performance sports centres at MAHE campuses in Manipal and Bengaluru. These centres will provide elite athletes with advanced coaching, sports science support, and residential training facilities while allowing them to continue academic education.
The centres will initially focus on four sporting disciplines, with expansion planned to nearly a dozen sports based on international competitiveness and professional league opportunities.
Key stakeholders said the initiative addresses a long-standing gap in India’s sports ecosystem by combining education with structured athletic development. Former cricketer and TENVIC co-founder Anil Kumble described the programme as a step toward building industry-ready sports professionals and strengthening the talent pipeline.
University leaders highlighted that the model aims to ensure athletes have career pathways both during and after their sporting careers, while contributing to a stronger, more professional sports culture in India.
