India Secures Major Role in Global School Sports as SGFI President Deepak Kumar Elected to ISSF Executive Board

LUCKNOW— In a significant milestone for Indian school sports, Deepak Kumar, President of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh, has been elected as a member of the Executive Board of the International School Sport Federation (ISSF).

The election took place during the ISSF General Assembly held in Belgrade, Serbia. Kumar’s induction into the executive body marks a major step forward for India’s participation and influence in global school sports administration.

The ISF is the apex international body governing school sports worldwide. With a seat on its executive board, India will now have a direct role in shaping global policies, international competitions, and development programs related to school-level athletics.

A Boost for India’s Global Sporting Presence
Kumar’s election comes at a time when India has been pushing to expand its footprint in international sports governance. Officials said his presence on the ISF board will strengthen India’s voice in decisions affecting millions of student-athletes across member nations and open new avenues for Indian schools to host and participate in global events.

Since taking over as SGFI President in 2023, Kumar has focused on reforming the structure of school sports in India. Key initiatives under his leadership include:

- Transparency and Financial Discipline*: Introducing stricter accountability measures within SGFI operations.  
- Fair Selection Processes*: Overhauling trials and team selection to ensure merit-based participation in national school games.  
- Structured National Competitions*: Making national school championships more organized and professionally managed.  
- Grassroots Outreach*: Expanding talent identification drives in rural and remote areas to bring new athletes into the mainstream.  
- Technology Integration*: Promoting the use of modern sports science and digital platforms for training, monitoring, and event management.

“His work over the last three years has redefined how school sports are administered in India,” a senior SGFI official noted. “This international recognition reflects that progress.”

What This Means Going Forward
With Kumar now on the ISF Executive, India is expected to play a more active role in drafting international competition calendars, setting eligibility and safety standards for school athletes, and accessing ISF development grants and training programs. It also strengthens the case for India to bid for and host future ISF world school championships.

The Uttar Pradesh government hailed the achievement as a proud moment, noting that it places an Indian administrator at the heart of decision-making for global school sports.