IPL team owners Kavya Maran and Sanjiv Goenka have teamed up to promote Olympic sports in India. Their collaboration is part of a larger effort to revive sports culture in Telangana through the Telangana Sports Development Fund (TSDF).
Kavya Maran’s Investment in Sunrisers Hyderabad
Kavya Maran, through her Sun TV Group, purchased the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL franchise for Rs 85 crore from BCCI. By 2024, the team’s valuation reached approximately Rs 735 crore. Kavya Maran’s reported net worth is over Rs 400 crore.
Sanjiv Goenka’s Role and Investments
Sanjiv Goenka owns the Lucknow Super Giants IPL team. He made headlines by spending Rs 27 crore to acquire Rishabh Pant during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise itself was bought for Rs 7,090 crore. However, Lucknow Super Giants have not made it to the IPL playoffs in the last two seasons.
A Public-Private Partnership to Boost Sports
Both owners are part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at reviving the Olympic model in Telangana. The initiative combines the expertise of sports legends, experienced administrators, and business leaders to build a strong sports ecosystem.
Sports Legends Driving the Initiative
Famous athletes such as Kapil Dev, Baichung Bhutia, Abhinav Bindra, Pullela Gopichand, and Gagan Narang have joined this governance initiative. Their goal is to strengthen grassroots sports, improve infrastructure, and create clear pathways for athletes to achieve excellence.
Building Telangana as a Sports Leader
The initiative aligns with Telangana’s progressive sports policies and aims to position the state as a national leader in sports development. By fostering talent and improving facilities, Telangana hopes to spark a sports revolution across India.
Meet the Telangana Sports Development Fund Board
The TSDF board includes industry and sports stalwarts like Sanjiv Goenka (Chairman), Kavya Maran (Director of Sun TV Network), Pullela Gopichand (Badminton coach), Baichung Bhutia (Football legend), Kapil Dev (Cricket captain), Abhinav Bindra (Olympic shooter), and key government officials. Together, they aim to drive sustainable sports growth in Telangana.
