Focus on the Future of Indo-German Sport: “Play Forward”

The sporting world is looking forward to a forward-looking event: at the end of October 2026, high-profile figures from the worlds of business, politics and sport gathered at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt for “Play Forward 2026 – The Indo-German Sports & Business Conclave”. Organised in close collaboration with the German Football Association (DFB) and the main partner, Bosch, the event was entirely dedicated to building sporting and economic bridges between Germany and India.

Roadmap for the years 2026 to 2036

The central aim of the meeting, chaired by Director Kaushik Moulik, was to draw up a strategic 10-year roadmap for the years 2026 to 2036. India has ambitious plans to establish itself as a global sporting power – inspired not least by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.

Key topics

The programme featured a high-calibre line-up: participants included the Indian Consul-General Shatrughan Sinha, Vikresh Gyanani, CEO of Evoco, Parimal Narhwani, MP and President of the Gujarat State Football Association, Sachin Verma, Head of Central Europe at Air India, cricket legends Chetan Sharma and Robin Singh, and Navas Meeran, President of the Kerala Football Association, discussed the sustainable development of sports infrastructure, closer cooperation in talent development, commercial exploitation and the future of sports broadcasting.

Strategic Memoranda of Understanding

The role of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies in modern training also played a key part: there was a strong focus on data-driven talent identification and artificial intelligence, with experts from ‘Bosch Global’ and German sports scientists providing concrete approaches. As tangible outcomes of the meeting, strategic memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed and an investment plan for India’s sports infrastructure was launched.

Bilateral relations are expanding

Particularly for those in Karlsruhe with an interest in India – given the India Board, Karlsruhe’s extensive network of contacts in India and the upcoming 2029 World Games – this event demonstrated just how much bilateral relations are extending beyond the traditional sphere of economics. This cooperation opens new doors for stakeholders from both nations to make the leap from grassroots level to excellence.

Further information: https://www.playforwardeu.com