CII Sports Business Awards
CII Sports Business Awards

About the Awards

The CII Sports Business Awards 2024 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.

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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 second edition 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 Broadcacster

3. Best Sports League of the Year (Non-Cricket)

4. Sports Brand of the Year

5. Best Sports Management Institution of the Year

Additionally, the awards include eight prestigious recognitions :

1. Sports Business Leader of the Year - Male

2. Sports Business Leader of the Year - Female

3. Best State Promoting Sports Development

4. Sports Federation of the Year

5. Best Organization promoting Sports

6. Organisation Supporting Para Sports in India

7. Best Sports Facility

8. Emerging sports League of the Year

Note : For each of the Award category/ies, relevant organizations/individual need to apply and provide details (for the respective categories), while in the recognition category, CII collates data with the assistance of its knowledge partner to recognize the organizations/individuals.

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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.

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.

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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 30,000/-
Category 2 Above 500 Cr to 1000 Cr INR 25,000/-
Category 3 Above 100 Cr to 500 Cr INR 22,000/-
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 celebrates the most outstanding team or franchise from any professional sports league in India, emphasizing overall excellence and achievement.
a. Eligibility Criteria
  • Organizations should have a minimum of one year of operation.
  • Physical presence within India is mandatory.
  • No restrictions on government or sports institution affiliation.
  • Growth on Social Media in the last one year.
b. Evaluation Criteria
  • Evaluation to be based on business parameters and fan engagement parameters
  • Threshold on financial numbers/Number of years of existence
  • Franchises are deeply involved in supporting grassroots development, nurturing talent, and promoting sports through various CSR initiatives, significantly contributing to the holistic growth of sports and community welfare
c. Submission Requirements
  • Provide fan engagement examples like events, promotions, and digital content.
  • Screenshots or analytics showing active engagement on social/digital media platforms, such as follower count, likes, shares, and comments.
  • A detailed presentation highlighting achievements over the past year.
  • The presentation may include year on year trends (%) on Valuation, digital presence, strategic growth, fan engagement Competitive performance and community impact. Successful sponsorship activations or partnerships, Growth in merchandise retail sales, Ticketing sales performance and attendance records.
2. Best Sports Broadcaster : This category is open to organizations and companies specializing in sports broadcasting within the Indian sports industry. It recognizes excellence in delivering high-quality, engaging, and diverse sports content across various platforms.
a. Eligibility Criteria
  • Open to sports broadcasters, television networks, and digital streaming platforms.
  • Should provide comprehensive sports coverage, including live broadcasts, highlights, and in depth analysis.
  • Must primarily operate within the Indian sports ecosystem.
  • Must demonstrate significant reach and influence within the Indian sports community.
b. Evaluation Criteria
  • Content Quality : High production standards, including clarity, visual appeal, and innovative presentation.
  • Diversity in Coverage : Broad coverage across multiple sports, with a focus on promoting a variety of disciplines.
  • Impact on Grassroots Sports : Additional consideration for those contributing to the visibility and growth of grassroots sports.
  • Innovative Technology : Use of advanced technologies to enhance the broadcast experience, such as multi-angle viewing, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or other interactive features.
c. Submission Requirements
  • Provide data on viewership, streaming metrics, social media engagement, and audience reach.
  • Showcase examples of diverse sports coverage, including major events, niche sports, and grassroots initiatives.
  • Describe any innovative technologies or approaches used to enhance the viewing experience, such as multi-angle broadcasts, virtual reality, or interactive features.
  • Include audit reports, annual reports, and other relevant documentation to support the submission.
3. Best Sports League of the Year (Non-IPL) : This award recognizes the top-performing professional sports league in India, excluding cricket. It highlights the league's excellence, competitive spirit, and contributions to the growth and development of its respective sport within the Indian sports landscape.
a. Eligibility Criteria
  • The franchise must be part of a professional sports league in India, excluding cricket.
  • Demonstrate exceptional performance in their respective league, including competitive success, league standings, and achievements.
  • The franchise must have been active for at least 5 full seasons of their respective league as of the nomination date.
  • Contribute significantly to the growth and development of their respective sport in India, including grassroots initiatives, talent nurturing, and promotion of the sport.
b. Evaluation Criteria
  • Evaluation of the league's financial stability, revenue generation capabilities, and investment in the long-term growth and development of the sport.
  • Assessment of the league's impact on the growth and popularity of its respective sport in India.
c. Submission Requirements
  • Documentation showcasing the league's financial stability, revenue generation capabilities, and investment in long-term growth and development strategies for the sport.
  • Provide evidence of the league's impact on the growth and popularity of the respective sport in India, including increased participation and fan engagement.
  • Demonstrate significant contributions to the growth and development of the respective sport in India through grassroots initiatives, talent nurturing, and promotional efforts.
4. Sports Brand of the Year : This category acknowledges brands that significantly impact the Indian sports industry. Open to both Indian and international brands operating in India, the focus is on those that drive industry growth and innovation.
a. Eligibility Criteria
  • Brands with significant presence in India or focusing exclusively on homegrown brands.
  • Preference given to brands active in the Indian market for at least one year.
  • No restrictions on government or sports institution affiliation.
b. Evaluation Criteria
  • Influence and Recognition : Brand awareness, consumer perception, and market share.
  • Market Penetration : Reach, distribution channels, and customer base.
  • Product/Service Standard : Customer satisfaction, reviews, and industry certifications.
  • Innovation : R&D investment, patents, and differentiation.
  • Industry Role : Operational duration, financial performance, and growth contribution.
  • Media Engagement : Active presence on digital platforms.
c. Submission Requirements
  • Description of the brand's mission, values, and key offerings in the sports industry
  • Metrics or reports showcasing brand awareness, consumer sentiment, and market share.
  • Information on distribution channels, geographic coverage, and customer demographics.
  • Customer testimonials, reviews, and any relevant quality certifications.
  • Descriptions of innovative products, technologies, or approaches introduced by the brand.
  • Financial reports, job creation statistics, and evidence of investment in industry development.
  • Proof of business registration and operational activities for a minimum of three years.
  • Financial statements or reports demonstrating an annual revenue of ₹25 crores or more.
  • Screenshots or analytics showing active engagement on social/digital media platforms, such as follower count, likes, shares, and comments.
5. Best Sports Management Institution of the Year : This award recognizes the outstanding sports management institution of the year in India, acknowledging its exceptional contributions to education, training, and preparing students for successful careers in the sports industry for the overall development in the field of sports management.
a. Eligibility Criteria
  • The institution must be based in India and offer sports management programs.
  • The institution must have been operational for at least three years.
  • The institution must have a proven track record of excellence in sports management education and training.
b. Evaluation Criteria
  • Institutional Excellence : Reputation, accreditation, and ranking of the institution.
  • Curriculum and Program Innovation : Quality, relevance, and innovation of sports management programs offered.
  • Faculty and Resource Quality : Expertise, experience, and qualifications of faculty members and quality of resources available.
  • Student Achievements and Placements : Success of graduates in the sports industry, employment rates, and notable alumni.
  • Industry Engagement and Partnerships : Collaborations with sports organizations, industry professionals, and other educational institutions.
  • Research and Thought Leadership : Contributions to sports management research, publications, and thought leadership initiatives.
c. Submission Requirements
  • Institutional overview, including history, mission, and achievements.
  • Details of sports management programs, including curriculum, faculty, and resources.
  • Evidence of student achievements, placements, and alumni success.
  • Examples of industry partnerships, collaborations, and engagements.
  • Research publications, thought leadership initiatives, and contributions to sports management knowledge.
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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 Gaurav Natekar
Mr Gaurav Natekar

Arjuna Awardee (1996)
Founder - World Pickleball League ; MD - Natekar Sports and Fitness

Ms. Ashwini Nachappa
Ms. Ashwini Nachappa

Former Olympian, Arjuna Awardee (1989) Managing Trustee, (KALS)

Mr. Abhishek Binaykia
Mr. Abhishek Binaykia

Partner and Head of Sports Advisory, Grant Thornton Bharat

Ms. Pallavi Barman
Ms. Pallavi Barman

Chief Strategic Officer, HRX
Founder, LAP Ventures

Mr. Vidhuspat Singhania
Mr. Vidhuspat Singhania

Managing Partner, Krida Legal

Mr. Ayon Sengupta
Mr. Ayon Sengupta

Editor, Sportstar

Mr. Sunjay Kapur
Mr. Sunjay Kapur

Chairman - Sona BLW Precision (Sona Comstar), Deputy Chairman - CII Northern Region & Chairman CII Sports Business Awards Jury 2024

Mr. Anupam Goswami
Mr. Anupam Goswami

CEO - Mashal Sports, League Commissioner of the Pro Kabaddi League & Co-Chairman CII Sports Business Awards Jury 2024

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. Application Closing Date 15th September, 2024
2. First Jury Meet 20th September, 2024
3. Final Jury meet 24th September, 2024
4. Award Ceremony 18th October, 2024
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