IIM Rohtak Welcomes New Batch of Sports Management Programme; Manu Bhaker Joins as Participant
India’s only IIM offering a specialised diploma in Sports Management inaugurates its seventh cohort
IIM Rohtak Welcomes New Batch of Sports Management Programme; Manu Bhaker Joins as Participant
- India’s only IIM offering a specialised diploma in Sports Management inaugurates its seventh cohort
THT News, Rohtak, Haryana:
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak has formally inaugurated the seventh batch of its Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Management for Executives (ePGDSM) on December 18, 2025. The programme, unique among all IIMs in the country, continues to position IIM Rohtak as a national pioneer in sports management education.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by faculty members, students and distinguished guests, with former international sportsperson, international sports coach and Member of Parliament Shri Shyam Singh Yadav gracing the occasion as the Guest of Honour. The new cohort includes several accomplished participants from the sporting world, most notably Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist and World Championship medal winner, along with other national and international athletes.
Welcoming the new batch, Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, Director, IIM Rohtak, outlined the institute’s vision of strengthening India’s sports ecosystem through structured and ethical management education. He noted that the ePGDSM programme has been designed to build professional managerial capability within the sports sector by offering a comprehensive understanding of sports marketing, finance, event management, legal frameworks and governance. Prof. Sharma highlighted that India’s sports industry is currently valued at approximately ₹40,000 crore, presenting vast career opportunities for trained sports management professionals across sports leagues, federations, event management firms and sporting organisations.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Shyam Singh Yadav emphasised the growing national focus on sports development and the urgent need for high-quality, structured sports management education. He encouraged students to value discipline, life experiences and ethical conduct alongside formal academic learning. Drawing from his own journey in sports and public life, he reflected on India’s rich sporting traditions while pointing to persistent challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, bureaucratic hurdles and the limited involvement of former athletes in sports administration. He also urged students to adopt a “sports mentality” by incorporating regular physical activity and exercise into their daily lives, noting that his own early involvement in sports helped build resilience, fitness and discipline.
As the new cohort begins its academic journey, IIM Rohtak reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing future-ready sports leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to the professionalisation and growth of India’s expanding sports ecosystem. The 16-month ePGDSM programme blends rigorous academic training with practical exposure through industry interactions, live projects and on-campus learning, enabling working professionals and sports enthusiasts to pursue career advancement alongside structured education.
An Institute of National Importance and AMBA-accredited, IIM Rohtak currently has over 2,500 students and is ranked among the top two per cent of management schools globally, reflecting its growing stature in academic and policy excellence.
