Panaji: Shaji Prabhakaran, a leading figure in sports administration and governance, has announced the launch of the Sports Grassroots Leadership Programme, a first-of-its-kind capacity-building initiative designed to empower the next generation of sports leaders.The programme is a philanthropic initiative and offered free of cost to selected candidates who demonstrate a deep passion for transforming Indian sport.“By equipping emerging leaders with essential skills in governance, community engagement, and strategic planning, the initiative aims to create a long-term pathway for athletic and administrative excellence,” said Prabhakaran, who is executive committee member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and former secretary general of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).Prabhakaran said the curriculum covers foundations of grassroots development, inclusive structures for rural and urban contexts, financial planning, and resource mobilization.The programme comprises 50 hours of 25 hours of online sessions, five hours of in-person interaction, and 20 hours of hands-on project work. A minimum of 50% of the positions are reserved for female candidates.“The future of Indian sport depends on strong, ethical, and visionary leadership at the grassroots level,” said Prabhakaran. “This programme is an investment in the professionals who will design the sustainable structures our country needs to thrive on the global stage.”
