IPL team owners Kavya Maran, Sanjiv Goenka join hands to revive Olympic Sports Revolution in Telangana

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In a landmark move signaling a shift in Indian sports development, the owners of IPL franchises Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have joined forces as part of the newly constituted Board of Governors for the Telangana Sports Development Fund (TSDF).

This innovative, public-private initiative aims to revive the Olympic model in Telangana by integrating the expertise of top sporting legends, seasoned administrators, and leading industry figures.

At the heart of the TSDF are Kavya Maran, CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group and owner of LSG, who bring with them not only resources but strategic vision and a track record of success in Indian sport. This collaboration is unprecedented-two IPL giants aligning to create a model that could set a new standard for sports governance in India.

The TSDF Board further includes sports icons such as Abhinav Bindra, Kapil Dev, Baichung Bhutia, Pullela Gopichand, and Gagan Narang, ensuring that decisions are informed by both grassroots understanding and elite performance experience. Other members represent corporate leadership, sports entrepreneurship, and administration, creating a well-rounded body capable of driving systemic change.

The core focus of this initiative is to build clear athlete pathways, maximize infrastructure, and provide robust support for Olympic disciplines. A key priority will be training physical education teachers, investing in grassroots systems, and fostering a broader "playing population" instead of only medal-focused talent. By adopting transparent, collaborative decision-making and aligning closely with Telangana's progressive sports policy, the board aims to create a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive sports growth.

Launched by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, this initiative is envisioned as not just a Telangana project but a scalable model for the entire country.

The Board Members

1. Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, owner of IPL and ISL teams
2. Ms. Upasana Kamineni, wellness entrepreneur and CSR advocate
3. Ms. Vita Dani, Co-owner, Ultimate Table Tennis; Chairperson, Dani Foundation
4. Ms. Kavya Maran, Director, Sun TV Network
5. C. Shashidhar, MD, Vishawa Samudra Group
6. Mr. Pullela Gopichand, Dronacharya awardee and chief badminton coach
7. Mr. Ravikanth Reddy, volleyball administrator
8. Mr. Baichung Bhutia, Indian football legend
9. Mr. Abhinav Bindra, Olympic gold medallist, shooter
10. Mr. Kapil Dev, 1983 World Cup-winning cricket captain
11. Mr. B.V. Papa Rao, former IAS officer and sports reform advocate
12. Mr. Injeti Srinivas, former Secretary, Sports
13. Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Telangana
14. Mr. Shivasena Reddy, Chairman, Sports Authority of Telangana