Media Release
Udupi, Apr 29: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, in collaboration with TENVIC Sports, has launched the first phase of its academic programmes. This marks a significant milestone in their partnership to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem through integrated education and athlete development.
As part of this initiative, MAHE and TENVIC Sports have introduced specialised academic courses in business of sports, data acquisition and analytics, and artificial intelligence and machine learning in sports.
These programmes aim to equip students and working professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required for careers in the rapidly expanding sports industry. The institutions plan to introduce additional courses in sports coaching, sports sciences, and sports media in the near future.
These offerings are accessible through the MAHE Plus portal (https://maheplus.manipal.edu/), which delivers micro-credentials and certificate programmes in online, blended, and face-to-face formats.
To further strengthen the sports ecosystem, MAHE and TENVIC Sports will establish high-performance centres at the MAHE campuses in Manipal and Bengaluru. These centres will provide elite athletes with access to world-class coaching, sports science support, and residential training facilities while enabling them to pursue academic programmes through affiliated schools and colleges on campus.
The centres will initially focus on four sporting disciplines, with plans to expand to nearly a dozen sports over time. These disciplines have been selected based on their potential for international success and the availability of structured professional leagues.
The academic programmes will also include guest lectures from distinguished industry experts, including Siddharth Raman, Deepti Bopiah, and Sandeep Kannambadi, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor, MAHE, said, "MAHE’s collaboration with TENVIC underscores our commitment to innovation and excellence in higher education. By preparing the next generation of professionals—on the field and across India’s sports ecosystem—we are contributing to a fitter nation and a stronger sports culture."
Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (retd), vice chancellor, MAHE, said, “For decades, athletes faced uncertainty beyond their competitive years. Through the TENVIC-MAHE high-performance centres, we are ending that era by blending elite training with flexible and meaningful academic learning. This dual pathway secures their futures on and off the field.”
Dr Sharath K Rao, pro vice chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, said, “The MAHE–TENVIC partnership brings together education, performance, and purpose. By embedding flexible academic learning within high-performance sport environments, we are expanding opportunities for athletes to prepare for life beyond competition.”
Anil Kumble, co-founder, TENVIC Sports, said, "Today marks a red-letter day in Indian sports. India's sports ecosystem faces a severe shortage of competent, industry-ready professionals. The TENVIC-MAHE programmes bridge this skill gap. This long-term talent pipeline will systematically equip many to sustainably power India’s sporting growth for decades."
Vasanth Bharadwaj, CEO and co-founder, TENVIC Sports, added, "Through the TENVIC-MAHE high-performance centres, we are blending elite training with flexible academic learning to accommodate an athlete's demanding schedules. This dual pathway transforms talent development."
The collaboration represents a pioneering effort to bridge academia, athlete development, and industry requirements through interdisciplinary education, research initiatives, and high-performance training ecosystems.