IISM’s Role in Goa’s 37th National Games Excellence
From October 26 to November 9, 2023, Goa proudly hosted the 37th National Games of India, marking a milestone in the country’s sporting history. This edition stood out for its scale and diversity, featuring 50 sporting disciplines — including newer additions such as beach football, roll ball, golf, sepaktakraw, sqay martial arts, kalaripayattu, pencak silat, and coastal and tidal rowing.
Over 10,000 athletes competed across 28 venues in Goa (with Delhi hosting some events), making it one of the most ambitious National Games ever held. The opening ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, setting the tone for a grand sporting spectacle. For many athletes, the Games became a vital stepping stone toward representing India at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.
IISM Students are working at 37th National Games in Goa
While the athletes shone on the field, the success of such a large-scale event relied heavily on the meticulous planning and execution carried out behind the scenes. This is where the expertise of sports management professionals came into play.
IISM’s role was crucial: as the Strategic Knowledge & Training Partner for the 37th National Games, the International Institute of Sports & Management mobilised over a hundred students and alumni across key functions, including accreditation, venue coordination, volunteer management, overlays, GMS, ACT, and the strategic knowledge team. Their work ensured seamless coordination between departments, detailed procedural manuals, well-trained volunteers, and tight logistical planning, all contributing significantly to the smooth conduct of such a grand sporting event.
IISM as Strategic Knowledge and Training Partner
The International Institute of Sports & Management (IISM), Mumbai, was entrusted with the role of Strategic Knowledge and Training Partner for the 37th National Games. Over 100 current students and alumni of IISM were actively involved in diverse functional areas such as accreditation, overlays, Games Management System (GMS), venue coordination, volunteer management, ACT, and knowledge management teams.
Their contributions extended far beyond routine operations—they played a crucial role in building systems, processes, and frameworks that set new benchmarks for multi-sport events in India.
Key Contributions of IISM
As part of this collaboration, IISM delivered several landmark initiatives that were central to the smooth conduct of the Games:
- First-Ever SOPs for the National Games
IISM created and launched the inaugural Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the National Games. These were unveiled at the opening ceremony by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, and former Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Thakur.
- Socio-Economic Impact Report
A comprehensive study was conducted to highlight the multiple benefits of hosting the Games in Goa, covering:
- Economic impact on the state
- Social and cultural outcomes
- Infrastructure and urban development gains
- Sports development and public health benefits
- Environmental and sustainability advantages
- Briefings and Orientation Sessions of all 14 committees
IISM organized orientation programs and functional area briefings for state officials, nodal officers, and the Event Management Agency, led by sports industry experts, ensuring smooth coordination across departments.
- Stakeholder Survey & Feedback Report Analysis
A large-scale survey gathered insights from over 2,000 athletes, coaches, and support staff, analyzing the success of the Games and identifying key learnings for the future.
- Committee and Functional Area (FA) Formations
IISM assisted in setting up state committees and structuring functional areas (FAs). The team also supported officials in clearly understanding their roles and responsibilities within each FA.
- Master Checklist with tasks, the responsible agency, and the timelines for Monitoring
A centralised checklist was developed for the Sports Authority of Goa, Government of Goa, to monitor progress across all functional areas and onboarded agencies.
- Professional Manpower & Advisory Support
Dedicated manpower and advisory expertise from IISM ensured operational excellence at every stage.
- Assistance in Volunteer Selection and Training
IISM played a key role in assisting the state government with volunteer management, from selection and training to briefings, empowering volunteers to deliver efficiently.
- Interdependency Report and Daily Updates with real-time updates
A detailed analysis was produced, mapping the interdependencies between functional areas for improved coordination and execution, and during the games.
- Spectator & Community Survey Report Analysis
A survey was conducted among spectators and local residents to capture their experiences and assess the broader impact of the Games on the community.
Beyond the Games:
The impact of IISM’s involvement extended far beyond Goa. For the institute’s students and alumni, the National Games served as a real-world classroom, where they gained invaluable hands-on experience in managing a mega sporting event. For the Government of Goa, it demonstrated how sports management education can directly contribute to delivering complex, large-scale events with professionalism and precision.
The 37th National Games in Goa were more than just a showcase of India’s sporting talent. They were also a testament to the vital role of sports management in shaping the future of Indian sports. The dedication and expertise of the IISM team – students, alumni, and faculty alike ensured the Games were executed seamlessly, leaving behind systems and knowledge that will benefit future events.
By bridging education with practice, IISM continues to build the next generation of sports professionals, setting new standards for professionalism in India’s sporting ecosystem.
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