TENVIC Sports and MAHE Launch Academic Programmes to Transform India's Sports Ecosystem
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April 2026: TENVIC Sports, in collaboration with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, has launched the first phase of academic programmes for sports professionals, marking a significant milestone in its landmark partnership to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem through integrated education and athlete development.
As part of this initiative, TENVIC Sports and MAHE have introduced specialised academic courses in
These programmes will equip students and working professionals with academic knowledge and practical skills to build successful careers in the rapidly expanding sports industry. The institutions plan to introduce additional courses in Sports Coaching, Sports Sciences and Sports Media in the near future.
To further strengthen the sports ecosystem, TENVIC Sports and MAHE will establish High-Performance Centres at the MAHE campuses in Manipal and Bengaluru. These centres will provide elite athletes with access to world-class coaching, sports science support and residential training facilities, while enabling them to pursue academic programmes through affiliated schools, colleges, and universities on campus.
The centres will initially focus on four sporting disciplines, expanding to nearly a dozen over time. TENVIC Sports and MAHE have strategically selected these disciplines based on their potential for international success and the availability of structured professional leagues, creating pathways for both athletic excellence and sustainable sports careers.
The academic programmes will also include guest lectures from distinguished industry experts, including Siddharth Raman, Deepthi Bopaiah and Sandeep Kannambadi among others. Their participation will provide learners with valuable industry insights and practical exposure to the evolving dynamics of the sports ecosystem.
Over time, MAHE and TENVIC Sports plan to expand the academic offerings into full-fledged undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to build a sustainable talent pipeline that supports India's ambition to emerge as a global sporting powerhouse.
Through this integrated approach combining education, technology, industry expertise, and athlete-focused residential programmes, the partnership aims to:
Addressing the gathering Dr. H. S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE said, "MAHE's collaboration with TENVIC underscores our commitment to innovation and excellence in higher education. By preparing the next generation of professionals - on the field and across India's sports ecosystem - we are contributing to a fitter nation and a stronger sports culture."
Anil Kumble, Co-founder, TENVIC Sports said, "Today marks a red-letter day in Indian Sports where we address a critical industry reality: India's sports ecosystem faces a severe shortage of competent, industry-ready professionals driven by the growth of professional leagues, sports startups, and demand for qualified coaches. The TENVIC-MAHE programs bridge this skill gap. This long-term talent pipeline will systematically equip many to sustainably power India's sporting growth for decades. The TENVIC Sports Vision statement in 2010 at the pre-incorporation meeting in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, of impacting the lives of millions of Indians through Sports Education, shall be realised."
Vasanth Bharadwaj, CEO and Co-founder, TENVIC Sports, added, "For decades, athletes faced uncertainty beyond their competitive years. Through The TENVIC-MAHE High Performance Centres, we are ending that era by blending elite training with flexible and meaningful academic learning to accommodate for an athlete's demanding schedules. This dual pathway secures their futures on and off the field, transforming talent development and building a sustainable future for many an athlete."
Speaking on the occasion Lt. Gen. (Dr) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, "For decades, athletes faced uncertainty beyond their competitive years. Through the TENVIC-MAHE High-Performance Centres, we are ending that era by blending elite training with flexible and meaningful academic learning that accommodates athletes' demanding schedules. This dual pathway secures their futures on and off the field, transforms talent development, and builds a sustainable future for athletes."
Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE said, "The MAHE–TENVIC partnership brings together education, performance, and purpose. By embedding flexible academic learning within high performance sport environments, we are expanding opportunities for athletes to prepare for life beyond competition, while contributing to a stronger and more professionally equipped sports sector in India."
About the TENVIC Sports - MAHE Partnership
The collaboration between TENVIC Sports and MAHE represents a pioneering effort to bridge academia, athlete development, and industry requirements. Through interdisciplinary education programmes, research initiatives, and high-performance training ecosystems, the partnership aims to shape the next generation of sports professionals and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of India’s sports landscape.
About MAHE
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University, offers over 400 specializations across Health Sciences, Management, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Technology and Science streams, at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE is acclaimed both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for global corporates looking for top talent.
About TENVIC Sports
Founded to systematically nurture grassroots sports talent and provide world-class training facilities for elite athletes, TENVIC Sports has delivered formal coaching in 23 different sports to over 3,50,000 children across schools and academies. It currently manages a High-Performance Centre in weightlifting and has previous experience in managing a High-Performance Centre for athletics. Through a hub-and-spoke model, TENVIC Sports has developed a scalable ecosystem for coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and sports managers, embedding cutting-edge technology to optimize athlete performance and overall sports operations.