Indian sports culture is changing, in both big cities and small towns. Schools, entrepreneurs, and even retired athletes are setting up sports academies to tap into talent and sustain a business.

However, starting a sports academy is not entirely about desire. It requires planning, certified infrastructure, legal compliance, and a well-defined business model.

This is a step-by-step practical checklist to establish a lucrative professional sports academy in India.

Checklist to Set Up a Successful Sports Academy in India

Step 1: Define Your Vision and Choose Sports

One should ask:

• Who will be trained? Children, adolescents, or grown-ups?
• One-sport or multiple-sport academy? ( e.g., cricket only vs. multi-sport)
• Goals: Professional sports or grass root health?

Tip:

• Cricket and football remain the most demanded.
• Badminton, basketball, futsal, and tennis are emerging.
• Multi-sport models minimize risk and occupy calendars.

 Step 2. Select the Right Location

Key points:

• It should be accessible to residential and school levels.
• Enough space has been allotted to future courts and facilities.
• Free and easy title land / long-term lease.
• Zoning regulations are locally compliant.

Part of your master plan should be to:

• Artificial Lawn and halls.
• Washroom, locker rooms, and office (admin).
• Parking and gallery viewing.

Step 3: Build Quality Sports Infrastructure

The most substantial investment and, of course, your greatest resource.

Infrastructure of sports academies checklist:

• FIH-approved shock absorbent turf and flooring.
• Civil work leveling, drainage, fencing, and lighting.
• Indoor plants: vinyl or PU floor, wooden floor, maple.
• Multi-sport artificial turf to save space and cost.

Step 4: Plan Equipment and Facilities

• Sport means: nets, goals, racquets, balls.
• Fitness zone/gym.
• Physiotherapy & recovery area.
• Coaching / Video classroom/analysis.

Good facilities attract serious coaches and sportsmen

Step 5: Hire Qualified Staff and Coaches

People make the difference:

• Certified (national/international) coaches.
• Strength and conditioning trainers.
• Sports therapists/psychologists.

According to the chart, about 70 percent of the personnel are administrators, marketing, and facility personnel.

Hint: Employee training and keeping up with the times are mandatory.

Step 6: Ensure Legal Compliance

Don’t skip:

• Trust registration/society/company.
• PAN, GST in case of fee collection.
• Background check of the employees.
• Health & safety, insurance, emergency plan.

Step 7: Create a Sustainable Business Model

Revenue ideas:

• Monthly memberships/ hourly rents.
• Summer camps and winter camps.
• School tie-ups & tournaments.
• Sponsorships and merchandise.

Take the scaling option, think franchise or license.

Step 8: Develop a Sports Curriculum

To be credible and to achieve:

• Age-wise modules and fitness test.
• Scouting and talent camps.
• Soft skills: nutrition, working in groups, discipline.
• Parents’ and Grade reports of the athlete.

Step 9: Market Your Academy Effectively

Sell Your Stories

• Web, Google AD, social media
• RWA and school tie ups.
• Open house day, demo day.
• Publicize student success stories after they are successful.

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Step 10: Review and Improve Continuously

• Annual facility/Safety audits.
• Replace turf/floor at time.
• Rejuvenation of training methods.

Overview of the questionnaires (athletes and parents).

1. Vision, definition and sport choice.
2. Location: find and plan.
3. Erect permanent structures.
4. The extra activity and sport zone.
5. Team/brand name coaches/team.
6. Full legality of action.
7. Income generation model.
8. Programs and curriculum design: Design programs and curriculum.
9. Market effectively.
10. Renewal of SPR and Upgrade.

Why Invest in Sports Academy?

Sports academies do not only train athletes, they:

• Develop community pride.
• Youth discipline and fitness.
• Turn the business revenues into a sustainable income.

Investment in sports infrastructure transforms to healthier generations.

– Nasir Ali, The CEO, Gallant Sports

Please contact to consult on developing land, turf & turnkey sports academies.