From Pitch to Powerhouse: Nilesh Kulkarni's Multi-Crore Sports Empire

• Former cricketer Nilesh Kulkarni, known for a first-ball Test wicket, built a multi-crore sports management empire after his playing career.
• Inspired by the lack of professional sports management in India, he founded the International Institute of Sports Management (IISM) in 2010.
• IISM launched India's first sports management degree program in collaboration with Mumbai University, overcoming initial skepticism.
• His main company, Eduhub Education Private Limited, recorded approximately 18.9 crore rupees revenue by FY2024.
• IISM received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar (National Sports Promotion Award) in 2020, a first for a sports management institute.

Why It Matters: Nilesh Kulkarni transformed cricket setbacks into a thriving sports education empire, proving failure is a new beginning.