The International Institute of Sports Management (IISM), Mumbai, has received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar.

The pioneering sports management venture founded by former India cricketer Nilesh Kulkarni received the award for its outstanding work in sports promotion and development. The award was handed over by minister of youth affairs and sports Anurag Thakur.

IISM was last year bestowed the Rashtriya Puruskar virtually by President Ram Nath Kovind. The National Sports Awards 2020 ceremony was held virtually for the first time in history, with the President attending the event from the President’s House.

IISM, a pioneering initiative in sports management education, was founded by Kulkarni, who played three Tests and 10 ODIs, 11 years ago along with his wife Rasika. The Andheri-based 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 to sports management. Our first-of-its-kind initiative in sports management in India is gaining popularity,” Kulkarni said.

“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. I would like to extend gratitude to our students, alumni, parents, collaborators and associates for being a significant part of our wonderful journey. Moreover, I appreciate and am grateful for the constant support received from the Sports Authority of India and Khelo India towards our industrious efforts of doing something novel in the sports industry.”

IISM is India’s first professional sports management institute to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in collaboration with the University of Mumbai and Garware Institute of Career Education and Development (GICED).

The institute achieved 100% internships and a consistently good placement record. The students have been working in sporting organisations like BCCI, IMG Reliance, Star Sports, Olympic Gold Quest, FICCI, Rajasthan Royals, Sportz Interactive and Sports Federations like Indian Olympic Association, All India Football Federation, and Paralympic Committee of India.