US expert shares views for holistic improvement
NE has resources ideal for cycling, mountain-biking,
trail-running etc., and intersection of sports with tourism can hugely
benefit the region: US expert
SHILLONG: IIM Shillong through the Centre for Development of North Eastern Region (CEDNER) organized a Stakeholders Discussion on “Effective Sports Management: A Catalyst for Performance” in the institute campus on Friday. Key office bearers from all the Sports Associations participated in the discussion.
Prof. Ashoke K Dutta, Director, IIM Shillong proposed a business model for Sports development and management for gainful employment generation in the State.
Prof Dutta said the State has abundant talent but there was room for professionalizing various disciplines of sporting activities, stressing on the need of elements such as responsibilities and mandate, structure and organization, processes and information, performance assessment and accountability to be realized as an interactive and interconnected system within different organizations.
The highlight of the discussion was a live video conference with Prof Douglas Michele Turco of Drexel University, USA, an expert in the field of sports management and research who has been involved with events like the Commonwealth Games, US Open Golf Championship, FIFA World Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup among others.
In his presentation, Prof Turco stressed the importance of collaborative academic research identifying multiple research areas like market research, feasibility studies etc through tie ups between sports associations and academic institutions.
Prof. Turco was highly optimistic about the potential of Sports assets in the North East and suggested development of off- mainstream sports events for the region in due consideration of her bountiful natural resources.
“Noth East has resources ideal for sports like cycling, mountain-biking, trail running etc. and intersection of sports nd tourism can hugely benefit the region,” he said.
The members of various sports organistions agreed unanimously that interface between IIM Shillong and the sports associations will promote excellence and professionalism.