MUMBAI: International Institute of Sports Management, a pioneering sports management venture founded by former India left-arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni was on Monday bestowed with the prestigious Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar at the hands of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur.
IISM was launched by Kulkarni, who played three Tests and 10 ODIs for India, 11 years ago along with his wife Rasika. The institute offers professional courses for under-graduate and post-graduate students, and explores uncharted avenues of sports management education in the country.
“It is a matter of immense pride for IISM to be recognized for its contribution to 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 skills to lead meaningful careers in the sports industry,” said Kulkarni.
Kulkarni, who took a wicket off his first ball in Test cricket, against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 1997, is currently a member of the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Cricket Improvement Committee, along with other ex-India players Jatin Paranjape and Vinod Kambli. He’s also been a Mumbai selector in the past.