IISM Degree Distribution Ceremony 2025
IISM celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2024 while also marking its 15-year journey in shaping India’s sports ecosystem.
It was a day that brought with it immense pride, inspiration, and heartfelt nostalgia. The Degree Distribution Ceremony 2025 of International Institute of Sports & Management (IISM) was not only a celebration of academic achievements but also a tribute to IISM’s 15 years of impact in sports education. The dual celebration saw the confluence of aspiring sports professionals, proud parents, dignified faculty, and industry experts.
The institute applauded its students for completing their academic journey successfully and stepping into the world of sports business, and science. As these future sports leaders received their degrees, the joy and sense of achievement among students, parents, and faculty were palpable.
Dignitaries Who Graced the Occasion:
The presence of renowned industry leaders elevated this year’s celebration. The Chief Guest, Indian sport shooter Shri Gagan Narang, a Padma Shri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee, and the Guest of Honour, former Indian cricketer and bowling coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Shri Paras Mhambrey, shared their inspiring journeys and wisdom with us.
Their words weren’t just speeches – they were guiding lights for the graduating batch of 2024.
Chief Guest and Indian sport shooter Shri Gagan Narang inspired students with three core values for success: Integrity, Curiosity, and Empathy. He reminded them that becoming a sporting superpower isn’t just about creating more athletes, but about building strong professionals behind the scenes – marketers, analysts, coaches, broadcasters, and athlete managers. His words instilled pride, confidence, and clarity of purpose in every student.
Guest of Honour and T20 World Cup 2024 Bowling Coach Shri Paras Mhambrey echoed this spirit, urging students to face challenges with courage and to “hang on a little more”. “You’re doing it because you love it,” he said, reminding them that perseverance and passion will always lead to glory and greatness.
A Proud Moment for the Founder
Mr. Nilesh Kulkarni, IISM’s Founder and Director, addressed the gathering with immense pride. Reflecting on the institution’s 15-year journey, he shared a powerful personal anecdote:
“We are immensely proud and satisfied to see the wonderful jobs you’re all doing in the industry, seizing opportunities from both sides and successfully contributing to the success of the Indian sports industry. Always go for the hard yards and give more than 100% in every challenge that comes your way.”
His message resonated deeply with the students and symbolized the kind of impact IISM has made
Student Reflections: A Journey to Remember
The heart of IISM has always been its students, and their testimonials brought the ceremony to life.
Harsh Raut, a BSM student, fondly recalled his internships, especially working as an Operations Intern at ICC World Cup 2023. From interacting with athletes to learning operations on the ground, his journey was a blend of real-time learning and peer bonding. He said:
“The bond, the fun we used to have, the rapport with professors—I will miss it every single day.”
Harsh’s message to aspiring sports professionals was clear: “If we just stick around and give our 100%, we will achieve more than we thought.”
Neeya Sachdev, a Sports Management student, credited her growth to IISM’s mentorship and opportunities. Her internship role as a Research Coordinator at the Tata Mumbai Marathon helped her gain a deeper understanding of the discipline and resilience required in the sports domain.
“Whether it’s the internship or placement aspect of it, there are ample opportunities, and we could see that happening.”
When your dreams truly come true:
Raj Patil, an MSM student, shared his surreal experience of working with Cricbuzz and meeting his idol Virender Sehwag. From marketing and broadcasting to content creation, his internships opened up a variety of domains. For him, IISM was a platform that offered industry connections and real exposure:
“I got to work with my idol. That itself speaks volumes about the kind of opportunities IISM gives you.”
Shaping Science Behind the Sports:
Joel, from the Master of Sports Science program, highlighted the vastness of sports science as a domain:
“You learn about Sports Medicine, Sports Tech, Strength & Conditioning. It gives you a holistic understanding of an athlete’s performance.”
He completed internships at SAI in Kolkata and Mumbai, gaining valuable insights into testing protocols and performance metrics.
A Parent’s Pride
It wasn’t just the students who had stories to share. Shashank’s father expressed how proud he was to see his son evolve at IISM:
“Over the years, Shashank worked with multiple sporting organizations—private and government. What stood out was how IISM focused on 360-degree development to build competent professionals.”
His advice to aspiring students was simple:
“For those who are focusing on sports as a career or profession, IISM is the institute.”
The event captured not just academic achievement, but also the vision and legacy of an institute committed to nurturing the next generation of sports professionals.
With heads held high and hearts full of dreams, the students now step into the sports world as future managers, analysts, scientists, and leaders. And IISM stands behind them, proud and unwavering in its mission to build India’s sporting future.
View this post on Instagram
