Decathlon to invest $111 million in India, plans to expand retail presence and manufacturing capabilities

The first update is about Decathlon investing in India to expand retail presence and manufacturing capabilities 

• French sporting goods giant Decathlon has announced a substantial investment of $111.31 million in India, aiming to bolster its retail presence and manufacturing capabilities in the country.

• Decathlon  plans to increase its number of stores from 110 to 190 over the next five years, with an average of 10 to 15 new outlets added annually. Decathlon also intends to enhance its domestic manufacturing operations, with the goal of locally producing 85% of its products sold in India by 2026.

• In addition to physical store expansion, Decathlon will focus on accelerating online sales and adopting an omni-channel approach, complementing its brick-and-mortar stores with significant investments in digital channels.

OYO and India Khelo Football Partner to Support Grassroots Football Development in India

Update number two is about OYO’s commitment to supporting grassroot development of football in India.

In my previous podcast I covered the news about OYO entering the fast growing sports hospitality industry in India and partnering with regional and local sports tournaments to provide end-to-end solutions to sports teams. Now, 

• OYO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Khelo Football (IKF), an organization dedicated to promoting football at the grassroots level in India.

• Through this partnership, OYO will provide accommodation solutions for players, coaches, and officials involved in IKF’s nationwide football initiatives, ensuring comfortable stays during training camps, tournaments, and events.

• The collaboration begins with the trials of India Khelo Football Season 4, which will take place in over 100 cities and villages across India, with OYO providing accommodation in its network of hotels.

• OYO’s involvement in sports hospitality includes partnerships with major sporting events such as Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, and the 36th National Games, among others.

• Both OYO and India Khelo Football expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its significance in supporting grassroots football development and creating a nurturing environment for aspiring athletes.

Parth Jindal Invests in PadelPark India, Aims to Expand Padel Sport in the Country

My third update is about the boom in Padel in India.

• PadelPark India, a company dedicated to promoting the sport of Padel in India, has secured a fresh round of funding led by Parth Jindal, the founder of JSW Sports and Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS).

• The new funding will be utilized to enhance the company’s infrastructure, academy offerings, and events.

• PadelPark India currently operates 11 padel courts in Mumbai and has constructed over 22 courts for various sports clubs, hotels, resorts, and corporate entities.

• With a focus on growth, the company plans to establish more than 100 Padel clubs across India through a combination of its own centers and franchise-run models.

• PadelPark India aims to deliver 40 Padel courts, open 15 Padel centers, and train 250 individuals in the coming months, while also hosting a major Padel tournament in August.

FanCode: Revolutionizing Sports Media in India with User-Centric Innovations

Update number four is about how FanCode is disrupting sports media with User centric innovations

• FanCode has emerged as a leading sports media platform in India, transforming the way fans engage with global and domestic sporting events. With a user base that has grown five-fold in the past three years, reaching over 160 million users, FanCode has become a go-to destination for sports enthusiasts seeking comprehensive coverage and personalized experiences.

• The platform’s success is attributed to its focus on addressing key pain points for Indian sports fans, such as providing access to live content and official merchandise. By introducing innovative features like match passes and tour passes, FanCode empowers fans to choose what they pay for, enhancing their overall experience.

• FanCode has expanded its offerings to include international sports such as Major League Baseball (MLB) and Formula 1 (F1), recognizing the significant fan base for these sports in India. This strategic decision enables the platform to provide access to global sporting events that were previously unavailable to Indian fans.

• Leveraging technology and innovation, FanCode enhances user experience through instant highlights, on-demand screen overlays, and the ability to view any statistic during live matches. The platform’s commitment to innovation extends to content diversity, ensuring that fans have year-round access to a wide range of sports, including domestic cricket tournaments, international leagues, and motorsports.

• FanCode’s success is further bolstered by strategic partnerships and collaborations. Notable partnerships include Cricket West Indies, Bangladesh Cricket Board, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and European football leagues. The recent exclusive partnership with Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya marks a significant milestone in the platform’s journey, bringing his brand to life through a performance wear range.

Real Money Gaming Dominates India’s Gaming Industry, Driving Revenue and Attracting Investors

Our fifth story is about the dominance of Real Money gaming in India.

• Real money gaming (RMG) is the major contributor to India’s gaming industry, accounting for 83-84% of the total revenue in the fiscal year 2022, despite facing regulatory challenges.

• The RMG sector boasts approximately 100 million online gamers daily, with 90 million paying to play and users dedicating an average of 8.5 hours per week to gaming.

• A recent clarification by the GST Council imposed a 28% GST on entry fees paid by users, significantly increasing the tax burden for gaming startups.

• Despite the tax implications, the gaming industry shows promising growth potential, with projections indicating a 20% growth by the fiscal year 2025, reaching a value of INR 231 billion.

Viacom18’s JioCinema and Sports18 clock record views for Paris Olympics

Our sixth and final update is about Viacom18’s JioCinema and Sports18 delivering record viewership numbers for the Paris Olympics. 

Team India may have not delivered the Gold medals at the recently concluded ParsiOlympics but Viacom18’s Paris Olympics coverage saw over 17 crore viewers come to JioCinema and Sports18 Network amassing a watch-time of over 1500 crore minutes.

For the first time, Indian sports fans could watch Olympics coverage presented across 20 concurrent feeds on JioCinema for free.

On linear platforms, Sports18 – 1, Sports18 – 1 HD, Sports18 – 2 ran India focused feed, Global Action was available on Sports18 – 3. Sports18 – 1 and Sports18 – 1 HD presented the Games in English with Tamil and Telugu available on language button. Sports18 – 2 offered Paris 2024 in Hindi.

Viacom18 presented the Olympics in four languages with an expert panel of former Olympians along with the on-ground coverage of the event by an Indian broadcaster with a crew of 20+ people and ground presence across six venues.

In terms of advertisers for the broadcasts, there were as many as 69 brands that saw the value in associating with the Paris Olympics broadcast leading to advertising revenue increasing 2.6x over the previous edition.