CII Sports Business Awards
CII Sports Business Awards

About the Awards

The CII Sports Business Awards 2023 represent a pioneering effort to honor excellence in the business of sports in India. The achievements and contributions made by the organizations and individuals that enable sporting excellence in India. This will be India’s first ever Sports Awards dedicated to the business of sports.

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India's first awards dedicated to the Business of Sports
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To recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in the sports sector
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Contribute towards growth and sustainability of the Sports ecosystem
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This inaugural event features five primary categories :

1. Sports Franchise of the Year : Open to professional sports teams and franchises across India's various leagues.

2. Best Sports Facility : Recognizing outstanding sports facilities and stadiums in the country.

3. Sports Start-up of the Year : Celebrating young organizations formed in the last five years that have demonstrated consistent excellence in the sports industry.

4. Sports Brand of the Year : Open to both Indian and global brands operating in the Indian market, with a focus on sports products and services and a measure of their impact on the sports industry.

5. Best Corporate/Organization Promoting Sports in India : Acknowledging companies and organizations actively committed to developing sports infrastructure, promoting physical engagement, and nurturing young athletes in India.

Additionally, the awards include four prestigious recognitions :

1. Sports Business Leader of the Year : Honouring individuals who have excelled within the sports industry, whether self-nominated or nominated by their companies.

2. Best State Promoting Sports Development : Recognizing the contributions of state sports departments in enhancing the sports ecosystem.

3. Sports Federation of the Year : Open to sports federations or associations at the central level that have made significant strides in sports development.

4. Best Organisation Investing in Sports : This award recognizes those leveraging sports for positive societal impact. Evaluations likely consider the depth and breadth of involvement, the impact on communities, and innovative approaches to addressing social issues through sports. This category acknowledges organizations actively contributing to social well-being, recognizing the transformative power of sports as a platform for positive change and development in India. Notably, the award considers the profound impact these organizations have on athlete performance, exemplified by their achievements at various national and international level sporting competitions. Further solidifying their positive influence on both the sporting landscape and social well-being in the country.

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+

Years
of experience

Who Can Apply?

  • Applications only from registered CSBA users would be eligible. Before selfnominating or nominating someone else please first register yourself on CSBA.
  • Only individual/representative from enterprise/organisation shall be eligible to apply.
  • Applicants can either self-nominate or nominate others.
  • The enterprise/organisation registered in India for more than 2 years as of August 30, 2023. The enterprise/organisation could take any form including to,
  • a. Private Limited Company
  • b. Public Limited Company
  • c. Partnership Firm
  • d. Sole Proprietorship
  • e. Cooperative
  • f. Joint Venture Company
  • g. Section 8 Company
  • h. Trust
  • i. Society
  • j. One person company
  • k. Start-Up

Organization Categories

Enterprise/Organisation Investment # Turnover
Micro Enterprises Up to 1 cr. Less than 5 cr.
Small Enterprises Up to 10 cr. Less than 50 cr.
Medium Enterprises Up to 20 cr. Less than 100 cr.
Large Enterprises Above 20 cr. Above 100 cr.
Awards Categories

Awards
categories

Recognitions

Recognitions

1st edition of the CII Sports Business Awards

years of experience

+

years of
experience

How to Apply

1. Registration

The applicant needs to register through link in website by filling up a form, which includes details about the organization.

2. Application

After online registration, the applicant has to fill up the online application form, depending upon the category (ies) would like to apply for and share the filled out form at Poonam.Dikshit@cii.in, Shivam.Sharma@cii.in and Kaustav.Deka@cii.in.

3. Submission of Relevant Documents

The applicant needs to register at the website by filling up a form, which includes details about the organization. After submission of the application, the applicant also needs to share relevant documents such as to verify that written submission truly reflects organization's credentials.

4. Payment for Participation
  • The payment towards participation fees (depending upon the sector) has to be made within the last date.
  • The application will not be considered for evaluation without the participation fees payment.

Note : Incorrect or false information will make the candidate liable for disqualification.

Register
Participation Fee

The participation fee is as below

Scale Fee Category Corporate Annual Sales Turnover (INR) Total Fee* (GST as applicable)
Large Enterprises Category 1 Above 1000 Crore INR 25,000/-
Category 2 Above 500 Cr to 1000 Cr INR 22,000/-
Category 3 Above 100 Cr to 500 Cr INR 20,000/-
MSME Less than 100 Cr INR 15,000/-
Start-ups** INR 5,000/-

Note :

  1. Applicant has to select the scale and fee category (large, MSMEs etc.) carefully while making the payment. CII reserves a right to disqualify the application form (s) in case of discrepancy in scale and fee category
  2. * Includes the cost of initial stage of evaluation by experts of appraisal committee; cost of jury; CII Awards Book, travel cost, honorarium for expert appraisal committee, accommodation, certificates, Trophies, Jury meeting, Award ceremony, participation certificate to participants etc.
Mode of Payment

The payment can be made online while submitting the form or via RTGS/ NEFT or via cheque or CII online payment link. The payment will be duly acknowledged on its receipt

Account Holder Name: CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY
Bank Name and Address STANDARD CHARTERED BANK 23 Barakhamba Road, Narain Manzil New Delhi- 110001
Bank Account Number 522-0-503577-5
IFSC Code SCBL0036020
  1. CII online payment link : For online payment please click here.
  2. Bank Details for Payment by Online Transfer are as mentioned above. In case, you are making payment through RTGS / NEFT, please share the payment details for acknowledgment
Evaluation Criteria Awards Categories
1. Sports Franchise of the Year : This category is open to teams & franchises from all professional sports leagues in India
a. Qualifying Criteria/Eligibility
  • Organizations in operation for at least two years (as on August 2023) with a physical presence within India are eligible to nominate themselves for the CSB Awards 2023-24.
  • Activities being carried out in India only will be considered
  • The organization should not be debarred by any Govt. / Sports institution
b. Brief Evaluation Criteria
  • Evaluation to be based on business parameters and fan engagement parameters
  • Thresh hold on financials numbers / No. of years of existence / Parameters around supporting the sports
c. Indicative Evaluation Parameters
  • Financial growth
  • Fan engagement
  • Increase in fan base
  • Brand valuation
  • Contribution during Covid-19
  • Contribution for development of sports
2. Best Sports Facility : This award is open to owners, operators of any sports facility/stadium in India.
a. Qualifying Criteria/Eligibility
  • Organizations in operation for at least two years (as on August 2023) with a physical presence within India are eligible to nominate themselves for the CSB Awards 2023-24.
  • Activities being carried out in India only will be considered
  • The organization should not be debarred by any Govt. / Sports institution.
b. Brief Evaluation Criteria
  • Judges will look at the quality of infrastructure, facilities available, effective utilisation and maintenance, athlete participation levels, elite athlete development programs, technology / Digitization, Connectivity, sports science/modernization of sport, quantity quality of events and programmes hosted. Weightage to also include carbon foot print strategy during curation/ maintenance etc / technical leverage
c. Indicative Evaluation Parameters
  • Revenue in last year from Sports Facility Provided
  • No. of events in last 2 years
  • Carbon footprint
  • No. of players benefited
  • Average monthly users
  • Seating capacity
3. Sports Start-up of the Year : This award is open to any young organizations (formed within last 5 years) with a significant focus and body of work in sport who has displayed consistent excellence in the sports industry in India.
a. Qualifying Criteria/Eligibility
  • A start-up organization applying for the awards should be operational for at least last 5 years (as on August 2023)
  • Activities being carried out in India only will be considered
  • The organization should not be debarred by any Govt. / Sports institution
b. Brief Evaluation Criteria
  • Scoring may be favoured towards organisations working with new technologies and innovations through progressive thought or invention in their area of the sports industry including but not limited to fantasy sports/esports/new media/ wearables/ arena management etc.
  • Business parameters (financial) + Media engagement (social/digital) parameters would help define the eligibility.
c. Indicative Evaluation Parameters
  • Turnover from operating activity in the last year (i.e. Sport event)
  • Net profit for the start-up for financial year ended 31st March 2023
  • Shareholding pattern & valuation of start-up
  • Growth in market share In past 3 years
  • No. of active users / customers
  • Market share
4. Sports Brand of the Year : This category is open to all brands (Indian and Global) with a presence in the Indian market, that provide sports products/services. Sports Products/services may be the organization's primary focus or simply an arm of the company.
a. Qualifying Criteria/ Eligibility
  • Organizations in operation for at least two years (as on August 2023) with a physical presence within India are eligible to nominate themselves for the CSB Awards 2023-24.
  • Activities being carried out in India only will be considered
  • The organization should not be debarred by any Govt. / Sports institution
b. Brief Evaluation Criteria
  • 3 years - Business parameters (financial) + Media engagement (social/digital) parameters would help define the eligibility
c. Indicative Evaluation Parameters
  • Turnover from the operating activity in last 3 years (i.e. Sport brand)
  • % of increase in turnover in last 3 years
  • Followers on social media handles
  • Increase in followers on social media in last 3 years
  • Market share in sports industry
5. Best Corporate/Organization promoting Sports in India. : This category is open to all corporates/organizations with a presence in the Indian market that has demonstrated outstanding commitment, support, and initiatives towards developing infrastructure facilities for number of sports, physical engagements & promoting sports for youth below the age of 18, development of young athletes for representation/medals at National and international level.
a. Qualifying Criteria/Eligibility
  • Organization should have been registered in India for at least 5 years as on September 2023.
  • Activities being carried out that are directly impacting Indian athletes will be considered
  • The organization should not be debarred by any Govt. / Sports institution
  • Special projects to be qualitatively assessed initiatives in sports med/science, sports tech, sports psychology, etc
b. Brief Evaluation Criteria
  • Last 3 years evaluation of initiatives with athletes, teams, infrastructure and others in grassroots and elite level sports development
c. Indicative Evaluation Parameters
  • Number of infrastructure facilities supported
  • Standard of infrastructure facilities
  • Number of sports events supported
  • Number of athletes trained/supported
  • Achievement of supported athletes (medals at national and international level)
  • Supporting of Paralympic and Special Olympic Sportspersons
  • Achievements of teams supported
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Winners 2023

The winners for the CII Sports Business Awards :

1. Sports Franchise of the Year – Royal Challengers Bangalore

2. Best Sports Facility – Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology

3. Sports Brand of the Year – Sunridges by Sareen Sports Industries

4. Sports Startup of the Year – CricHeroes

5. Best Corporate/Organization promoting Sports in India – Reliance Foundation

The winners of the Recognition Awards :

1. Sports Business Leader of the Year (Male) – Mr Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI & President, Asian Cricket Council

2. Sports Business Leader of the Year (Female) – Smt. Nita Ambani, Chairperson and Founder, Reliance Foundation

3. Best State promoting Sports Development – Sport Development Authority of Tamil Nadu

4. Sports Federation of the Year – Athletics Federation of India

5. Best Organization Investing in Sports – JSW Sports

CII Annual Flagship Conference on Sports

Meet Our Jury

We bring together National and Global leaders from the World of Sports to deliberate on policy making as well as various key issues of the sector to transform India into a Sporting powerhouse.

Mr Abhinav Bindra
Mr Abhinav Bindra

Olympic Champion & Founder - Abhinav Bindra Foundation

Ms Michelle Wade
Ms Michelle Wade

Commissioner to South Asia, State Govt. of Victoria, Australia

Ms Aahna Mehotra
Ms Aahna Mehotra

Partner TMT Law Practice

Mr Abhishek Binaykia
Mr Abhishek Binaykia

Partner, Transformation, Head of Technology Center of Excellence and Head of Sports Advisory, Grant Thornton Bharat

Mr Nic Coward
Mr Nic Coward

Expert Partner, Portas Consulting

Glimpses of CII Sports Business Awards 2023

CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
CII Sports Business Awards 2023
Timelines
1. Invite and Receive applications 30th September 2023 - Starting date
3rd November 2023 – Closing Date
2. Evaluation Stage I – Eligibility 4th November 2023 to 22nd November 2023
3. Evaluation Stage II - Parameter driven
4. Jury Meet 23rd – 24th November, 2023
5. Award Ceremony 4th December 2023
Terms of Conditions
  • The participation fees once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
  • The applicant can withdraw his / her application at any time during the award process, however the participation fees paid will not be refunded.
  • If the applicant fails to share relevant documents to verify that written submission truly reflects organization’s, the CII Secretariat/Jury reserves the right to not considering the application.
  • Information supplied within or in relation to the application must be real, correct and complete. Please note that all personal or sensitive information will be treated as confidential.
  • The decision of the expert appraisal committee and members of Grand Jury is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • All submission material and accompanying documentation must be clearly written in the English language.
  • By submitting an application to the CII Sports Business Awards, the applicant is agreeing to the above-mentioned terms and conditions of entry.
  • You can apply under any one or more than one category