New Delhi: As India’s sporting ambitions continue to expand on the global stage, attention is increasingly turning towards the systems that identify, nurture and sustain talent long before athletes reach elite competition. Reinforcing this vision, Intertek India and Sportz Village Foundation convened a leadership forum in New Delhi, bringing together corporate leaders, sports development experts, accomplished athletes and emerging talent to discuss collaborative strategies for strengthening the country’s grassroots sports ecosystem.
The event highlighted the importance of building long-term pathways for young athletes through partnerships that extend beyond financial assistance to include mentorship, quality coaching, sports science, education and holistic development.
Among those attending were Intertek South Asia leaders Ankita Agarwal, Regional HR Director, and Ashish Gupta, Regional Chief Financial Officer, alongside Sportz Village Foundation representatives Radhika Yelkur, Head of Delivery, and Sandeep Rao, Head of Corporate Partnerships. The gathering also featured Arjuna Award-winning shooter Anjum Moudgil and a group of promising state and national-level athletes supported through the Sports For All programme, a talent development initiative launched by Intertek India in collaboration with Sportz Village Foundation.
The initiative aims to identify promising young athletes and equip them with the guidance, resources and developmental support required to progress through increasingly competitive levels of sport. Its emphasis extends beyond sponsorship, focusing instead on creating an enabling environment where sporting excellence and personal growth can develop together.
A panel discussion formed the centrepiece of the event, exploring how stronger collaboration among businesses, educational institutions, sports organisations and public agencies can create sustainable opportunities for aspiring athletes. Discussions covered a wide range of issues, including access to quality coaching, sports science, mental resilience, athlete livelihoods, the role of schools in encouraging participation and the need for stronger public-private partnerships to widen access to organised sporting programmes.
Drawing on her own experiences as an international shooter, Anjum Moudgil spoke about the discipline, perseverance and resilience required to compete at the highest level. She stressed that every successful athlete benefits from a strong support network comprising families, coaches, mentors, institutions and organisations that invest consistently in long-term development.
One of the key moments of the programme was the unveiling of the official Sports For All jersey, symbolising the shared commitment of Intertek India and Sportz Village Foundation to creating structured pathways for emerging sporting talent. Organisers described the jersey as a representation of their long-term commitment to identifying potential, creating opportunities and supporting athletes throughout their sporting journey.
Speaking at the event, Ankita Agarwal said Intertek’s corporate social responsibility initiatives are focused on generating sustainable social impact by empowering communities and expanding opportunities for future generations. She noted that supporting grassroots sports aligns with the broader vision of building a healthier, more inclusive and future-ready India.
Radhika Yelkur said collaborative programmes such as Sports For All are designed to help young athletes access the support systems needed to develop their abilities, compete at higher levels and pursue long-term sporting careers.
As India prepares for an increasingly prominent role in international sport, initiatives such as Sports For All underline the growing recognition that success at the highest level depends on strong foundations at the grassroots. By combining corporate support with sports development expertise, Intertek India and Sportz Village Foundation are working to strengthen pathways for young athletes while contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable sporting ecosystem.
Founded in 2003, Sportz Village has emerged as one of India’s leading school sports organisations, promoting structured physical education and grassroots sports across 22 states. Through partnerships with schools, governments and corporate organisations, it has introduced millions of children to organised sport while helping create pathways for future champions.
