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India Football Federation: In a groundbreaking move, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) partnered with the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad in July 2023 to empower Indian football through a strategic focus on research and innovation. This collaboration between AIFF and a management institute, specifically its Centre for Sports Research, marked a significant shift in how sports development is being approached in India.

Kanishka Pandey, Head of the Centre, sees this partnership as a transformative milestone. “AIFF’s collaboration with a management institute reflects a new vision — one where data-driven research underpins the growth of Indian football,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of academic partnerships in driving sports reform.

The Centre for Sports Research has played a key role in identifying and addressing gaps in Indian football. Through a series of detailed reports, the Centre has provided research-backed recommendations on improving infrastructure, culture, and health standards in the sport.