Integration Announcement
On 14 July 2026, GoSports Foundation issued a press release from Bengaluru and New Delhi stating that the Sports and Physical Activity Centre (SAPA Centre) will be integrated into its institutional framework as a dedicated vertical. The move is presented as a reinforcement of the organisation’s leadership and capabilities in building India’s sports ecosystem.
Background of SAPA Centre
The SAPA Centre is described as a systems‑change institution focused on applied research, ecosystem diagnostics, policy‑to‑action pathways, measurement and implementation support for India’s growing sports and physical activity sector. It was incubated at the Sports and Society Accelerator in 2022 and co‑founded by Nandan Kamath and Desh Gaurav Sekhri. Following the integration, Sekhri will join GoSports Foundation’s Governing Board.
Funding Sources
The Centre’s work has been funded by The Convergence Foundation and the Ajit Isaac Foundation, both of which will continue their support after integration. The Convergence Foundation is a philanthropic organisation founded by Ashish Dhawan, while the Ajit Isaac Foundation is the personal philanthropic vehicle of the Isaac family.
Strategic Rationale
GoSports Foundation argues that the integration links its two‑decade‑long on‑ground experience with athletes, coaches and academies to evidence, standards, policy engagement and ecosystem learning. Central to the Centre’s methodology is the “Sports Ecosystem Stack,” a conceptual framework that maps interconnected actors, institutions, conditions and enablers shaping the sports and physical activity ecosystem. The Stack will guide priority identification, inform policy processes, strengthen delivery mechanisms and support coordinated development across national and state contexts.
Institutional Context
The integration sits alongside GoSports Foundation’s other recent initiatives, notably the Axis Bank‑GoSports Foundation Performance Institute. Together, these entities aim to serve as a central interface for research, standards, measurement and systems support, deepening engagement with governments, funders, implementation partners and other ecosystem actors.
Quotations
- Abishek Laxminarayan, Trustee, GoSports Foundation, said the integration marks an important step toward a holistic, future‑ready sporting ecosystem, enhancing the ability to connect on‑ground experience with research, policy, standards and systems thinking.
- Saugato Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer, GoSports Foundation, highlighted that the combined on‑ground impact and SAPA Centre’s research and policy capabilities will enable evidence‑led design, scaling and sustainability across the participation‑to‑podium pathway.
- Abhishek Anand, Head of SAPA Centre, noted the Centre’s purpose to support systemic, evidence‑informed change and to operationalise the Sports Ecosystem Stack with governments and partners.
- Desh Gaurav Sekhri, Co‑Founder and Director of SAPA Centre, emphasized the need to build systems behind sport with the same seriousness as celebrating success, and described the integration as a platform to connect research, policy, participation and performance.
- Ashish Dhawan, Founder and Chairperson of The Convergence Foundation, remarked that sustained investment in foundational systems is essential for India’s sporting ambitions and praised the integration as a step toward more interconnected delivery systems.
- Ajit Isaac, Founder of Ajit Isaac Foundation, expressed belief that lasting impact comes from understanding problems at their source and building capable institutions, and said the SAPA Centre’s integration strengthens forward‑looking institutions that can widen access and opportunity.
Expected Outcomes
The press release states that the integration will help build a more inclusive, accountable and measurable sports system, linking athlete pathways, broader access to development opportunities, credible evidence for policy and investment, and institutions capable of translating intent into practice. It also frames sport and physical activity within broader national objectives such as health, education, livelihoods, social development, youth engagement, inclusion and nation‑building.