Ekalavya Sports brings startup culture to new field

KOLKATA: Startups in the city have discovered a new field to play with their budding business ideas. At least one of them has already set the ball rolling, albeit in

Sambalpur

, Odisha. And it’s no wonder that this fresh idea has come from a former soccer star.

Ekalavya Sports, a sports startup run by maidan veteran and former India national Kalyan Chaubey, has come up with an academy, where the youngsters can be trained to become Bhaichung Bhutias and Sunil Chhetris of the future.

Chaubey, founder and CEO,

Eklavya Sports

, said his 18-acre sports academy based in Sambalpur, has a space for 80 footballers preferably over 18 years of age. “The idea is to take in players, who have already played as under-17 footballers in other clubs.” While looking for investors at the Startup Pad organised by industry body ICC in Kolkata, Chaubey said that a total investment of Rs 12.5 crore has been made for setting up the academy infrastructure.

Rajeev Singh

, director-general, ICC, said, “The concept of startups is being thought beyond the conventional thinking of IT startups. ICC is happy to find a sports startup as a part of its platform.”

When asked about the business model, Chaubey explained that he expects the selected players to be a part of

ISL

and other super leagues in future. “This academy will be one of the channels for the leading clubs in the country to recruit Indian players,” he added.

The startup has planned to approach the corporates to fund 30 players. Out of 80 for a two-to three-year-long period depending on the merit of a player and then wait for a return of investment.

“Following the selection of these players in super leagues, we plan to take 5% from of their contract,” said Chaubey on the sidelines of the ICC Startup Pad. The rest of the 50 seats will be available to candidates at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh per year.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss yearly career horoscopes 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.