IISM: Shaping India’s Sports Leaders | Admissions Open for 2026
In a country where passion for sports runs in the blood, International Institute of Sports & Management (IISM) transformed enthusiasm into expertise, bridging the gap between playgrounds and boardrooms. Today, it stands as a pioneering institution that empowers students to turn their love for sports into meaningful, impactful careers.
From a vision that began in 2010 to becoming Asia’s first and largest sports education institute, IISM’s journey reflects how an entire professional sector has emerged in India with IISM at the forefront, shaping the nation’s sports ecosystem, nurturing skilled professionals, and driving excellence in the sports industry.
In this blog, we explore IISM’s inspiring history, academic programmes, entrance tests (SMAT & SSAT), campus experience, industry exposure, internships, placements, partnerships, and contributions to India’s sports sector, offering a complete picture of what it truly means to be part of IISM.
The Story of IISM
“While watching a IPL match in the stadium in Mumbai, I noticed that all of the professionals BCCI appointed to manage the IPL were foreigners , and there were hardly any trained professionals from India. That was my triggering point. I thought, why can’t I do something about it? And that’s where the journey began.”
Nilesh Kulkarni, former Indian cricketer and Founder of the International Institute of Sports & Management (IISM), recalled these words with nostalgia while sharing the story behind IISM’s inception in an interview.
The idea of IISM was born out of a simple observation, and a powerful realization. When Nilesh Kulkarni saw foreign professionals managing the IPL, he understood the vacuum that existed in India’s sports management space. Sports in India had passion, but not the structured professionalism it needed to grow into an industry.
That spark led to the foundation of the Institute in 2010 – a first-of-its-kind initiative in India to bring formal education into the sports domain. What began as a vision to create trained sports professionals soon evolved into an establishment that helped shape India’s sports industry itself.
Founders
The International Institute of Sports & Management (IISM) was founded by Mr. Nilesh Kulkarni, former Indian Test cricketer, and Co-founded by Mrs. Rasika Kulkarni, an entrepreneur and event management stalwart. Together, they envisioned creating a structured pathway for young Indians passionate about sports to turn their love for the game into professional careers. Under their leadership, IISM has grown into Asia’s First and Largest Sports Education Institute.
IISM’s Contribution to India’s Sports Ecosystem
IISM’s contribution to India’s sports ecosystem has grown over the years into a crucial pillar of the nation’s sports revolution. Its alumni and students are present across every major sporting event, organization, and brand. IISM graduates have worked behind the scenes of major sports leagues and events as team managers, operations executives, performance analysts, digital content creators, sponsorship strategists, broadcast coordinators, and event planners, ensuring that every match and league runs seamlessly.
Furthermore, IISM has collaborated with Khelo India Youth Games and the first-ever Khelo India University Games as Official Knowledge Partner, helping to curate SOPs and operations manuals. It has also served as a training partner for the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, training tens of thousands of volunteers and supporting venue & event operations, and as an Official Strategic Knowledge & Training Partner for the 37th National Games in Goa.
On the academic side, IISM has produced research reports and launched its own journal (the “Sports Academia Research Journal”), contributing to sports-science and sports-business scholarship in India. Through these multiple channels, like education, live exposures, internships, research, and industry partnerships, IISM continues to fuel work opportunities across sports organizations and to develop the next generation of professionals who keep India’s sports ecosystem advancing.
IISM’s pioneering efforts in professionalizing sports education have earned it one of India’s highest honors in the sports domain – the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar, conferred by the Hon’ble Former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji.
This national award stands as a testament to IISM’s relentless contribution to the development of India’s sports ecosystem through education, skill-building, and industry integration. It recognizes the institute’s impact in creating employability, nurturing talent, and driving professionalism in sports management and sports science.
On the global front, IISM has established an academic collaboration with Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom.
This partnership enables IISM students to gain access to international academic frameworks, research opportunities, and cross-learning experiences, helping them benchmark their knowledge against global standards.
Through this collaboration, students benefit from joint research initiatives, faculty exchange programs, curriculum enhancement, and exposure to international best practices in sports business, management, and science.
Together, these recognitions and partnerships forged IISM toward becoming a global thought leader shaping the future of sports education and innovation.
IISM has steadily charted a path of firsts and pioneering initiatives in India’s sports education and industry-ecosystem, positioning itself not only as a learning institution but as a change agent. Its milestones reflect innovation in academia, industry partnerships, research, events, and professional development for sports enthusiasts and aspirants alike.
Key Milestones:
- 2010: IISM was founded, becoming one of India’s earliest professional institutes dedicated to sports-management education.
- 2016: Created and released a version of the national anthem “Jana Gana Mana” sung by leading Indian sports heroes , the first-ever such initiative by a sports-education institute.
- 2020: Awarded the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for “Development for Sports” by the Government of India.
- 2022: Launched India’s first-ever book on “Sports Marketing” in the sports-education context, marking its entry into sports publishing.
- 2024: Published India’s first book on “Sports Psychology” as part of its knowledge series.
- 2025: Signed a prestigious MoU with Leeds Beckett University, UK , strengthening international academic collaborations and creating global learning opportunities for students.
Faculty
IISM’s faculty comprises a blend of academicians, industry veterans, and sports professionals who bring both theoretical insight and practical expertise to the classroom. With backgrounds spanning sports management, marketing, analytics, biomechanics, nutrition, and event operations, they ensure holistic learning for every student. Guest lectures and masterclasses by leaders from top organizations like BCCI, Star Sports, JSW Sports, and Cult.fit further enrich the learning experience, ensuring that IISM students gain exposure to real-time industry practices and emerging global trends.
Programmes & Curriculum
IISM provides a combination of academic rigor and industry exposure through programmes that explore both the business and science of sports. The institute offers four comprehensive programs in collaboration with the University of Mumbai and GICED, along with one autonomous certificate program. These include:
- Bachelor of Sports Management (BSM)
- Bachelor of Sports Science (BSS)
- Master of Sports Management (MSM)
- Master of Sports Science (MSS)
- Postgraduate Programme in Sports Management (PGPSM) -11-month autonomous program
Work Exposure
Learning Beyond Classrooms – IISM believes Sports Management cannot be taught within four walls; It must be experienced.
Every year, IISM students gain on-ground exposure at national and international sporting events, such as:
- Indian Premier League (IPL)
- ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup
- Pro Kabaddi League (PKL)
- Khelo India Youth Games
- National Games of India
- Women’s Premier League (WPL)
- Tata Mumbai Marathon
From coordinating logistics and player movements to handling sponsorships, media, and fan engagement, students work in pivotal operational and strategic roles, learning the real-time responsibilities beyond the field.
Placements at IISM
One of IISM’s greatest strengths lies in its robust placement that connects students directly to the pulse of the sports industry.
Through years of building trust, credibility, and competence, IISM has become the preferred hiring ground for some of the most renowned organizations in the sports landscape.
IISM students worked & placed with:
- Professional Leagues & Franchises: Indian Premier League (IPL), Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Indian Super League (ISL), and Women’s Premier League (WPL)
- Sports Federations & Government Bodies: Sports Authority of India (SAI), Khelo India, All India Football Federation (AIFF), and Athletics Federation of India
- Sports Management & Consulting Firms: IMG-Reliance, Sportz Interactive, ITW Consulting, Baseline Ventures, Rhiti Sports, Sportz Village
- Broadcasting & Media Houses: Star Sports, Sony Sports Network, Viacom18
- Fitness, Data & Tech Firms: Decathlon, Dream11, Cult.fit.
Students step into roles such as sports marketing executives, operations managers, sponsorship coordinators, data analysts, team liaisons, and performance consultants.
Strategic Partnerships with Khelo India & National Games
IISM’s collaborations with Khelo India and the National Games have played a crucial role in bridging education with experience.
Through these partnerships, students gain firsthand exposure to nationwide sporting operations, contributing to event planning, data analysis, athlete management, venue coordination, and so on.
These collaborations not only help build a pool of trained professionals for India’s growing sports sector but also reinforce IISM’s role in nation-building through sport.
The institute’s presence at large-scale national events stands as proof that sports management is no longer a niche, it’s a mainstream career that powers the entire sporting ecosystem.
ISELP
The International Sports Experiential Learning Program (ISELP) by IISM is a one-of-a-kind global immersion initiative designed to transform passionate sports enthusiasts into global sports professionals. Conducted across leading sports nations like Spain, Qatar, the UK, and France, ISELP takes students beyond the classroom to witness how the international sports industry truly operates.
Over six days, participants visit world-renowned stadiums, attend live matches, engage in workshops at reputed sports universities, and network with global industry leaders.
The program not only helps students to experience diverse cultures but also helps them understand the business dynamics and global standards of the sports ecosystem. By blending experiential learning with global exposure, ISELP perfectly aligns with IISM’s vision to produce industry-ready professionals equipped to lead the future of sports management and science.
IISM x IIM Mumbai MOU
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai and the International Institute of Sports & Management (IISM) have jointly launched a One-Year Postgraduate Programme in Sports Management (PGPSM) under the NEP 2020 framework. This programme combines management excellence with sports industry expertise to prepare leaders for India’s rapidly growing sports sector.
It focuses on multidisciplinary, experiential learning through case studies, live projects, and industry exposure. Students will explore areas such as management, marketing, finance, data analytics, event operations, sponsorship, and sustainability. Co-taught by IIM and IISM faculty along with industry professionals, the programme integrates theory with practical insights.
With India’s Olympics 2036 vision and expanding sports economy, PGPSM aims to create skilled professionals like sports managers, analysts, consultants, and entrepreneurs who can drive innovation and growth in sports business, governance, and education. This programme is a strategic step toward shaping the next generation of sports leaders in India.
Life at IISM
Life at IISM is a blend of learning, leadership, and celebration.
The campus, located in Mumbai’s heart, thrives with events, activities, and cultural diversity that shape every student into a well-rounded professional.
- Junoon – It is IISM’s flagship inter-college sports management fest, bringing together sport enthusiasts from other colleges across Mumbai. It’s a vibrant platform where students compete, collaborate, and showcase their skills.
- Khel Raga – Music & Sports Festival: A unique fusion of rhythm and rivalry, where music meets motivation, creating an unforgettable experience for students.
- Cultural Celebrations – During the festive celebrations, IISM’s campus radiates inclusivity and festive spirit, reflecting the diversity of India’s sporting community.
Through quizzes, project based events , game day, Masterclass, and mentorship by industry leaders, life at IISM mirrors the pulse of the sports world – fast, inspiring, and full of energy.
Admissions: Your Entry into the World of Sports
To be part of IISM’s transformative journey, aspiring students must clear one of the institute’s exclusive entrance exams based on their chosen domain:
- Click to apply for the SMAT – SMAT (Sports Management Admission Test) – for those pursuing programs in Sports Management.
- Click to apply for the SSAT – (Sports Science Admission Test) – for those entering the Sports Science stream.
These tests evaluate applicants on general aptitude, analytical skills, and domain awareness, ensuring that every student stepping into IISM is ready to combine passion with purpose.
IISM’s story embodies India’s sports revolution.
It has turned thousands of dreamers into achievers, shaped careers and inspired innovation that’s changing how the country perceives sports.
Whether you dream of working in the next big league, analyzing athlete performance, or launching your own sports startup, IISM is where your journey begins.
Because here, passion finds direction, purpose finds opportunity, and sports find their future.
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