The International Institute of Sports Management (IISM), a pioneering sports management venture, was awarded the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar on Monday by Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

IISM was founded 11 years ago by Nilesh Kulkarni, who played three Tests and 10 ODIs for India, and his wife Rasika . The institute offers professional courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and explores uncharted avenues of sports management education in the country.

“It is a matter of immense pride for IISM to be recognised for its contribution t o sports management. Our first-of-its-kind initiative in sports management in India is gaining popularity. This award will go a long way in making us strive to equip students with professional ski l ls to lead meaningful careers in the sports industry,” said Kulkarni.