Dani Sports Foundation

What Dani Sports Foundation does

Dani Sports Foundation (DSF) is a Mumbai-based non-profit foundation operating two interconnected verticals in India's sports ecosystem: Physical Literacy (sports-for-development at scale) and High Performance (elite athlete development). The Physical Literacy vertical delivers structured physical education in schools — anchored by the Pune Program covering 35 schools at 60 hours of PE per year — channels catalytic grants to grassroots sports NGOs via the Chhalaang Fund (Pratham Foundation, Brahmaputra Volleyball League, Malvi Education Trust), and runs a two-year residential Sports for Transformation (SfT) Fellowship with Kapadwanj Kelavani Mandal for youth aged 20-25. The High Performance vertical identifies and trains elite athletes through academies in Nadiad (Gujarat) and NCoE Rohtak (Haryana), supports table tennis talent through an Athlete Support Program, and offers paid certification courses co-curated with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and Loughborough Sport. Reach is reported at 600,000+ students across 2,379 schools in 10 states, with 615 athletes in the high-performance pipeline.

The operating model is partnership-driven and outcome-tracked. DSF works with corporate CSR funders (Ambuja Foundation, Piramal Foundation, Bajaj Auto, Cognizant), peer foundations (Abhinav Bindra Foundation, ITFF Foundation), central and state government bodies (SAI, Sports Authority of Gujarat), and international knowledge partners (Loughborough Sport). Programs are evidence-based with documented impact metrics, including 82% flexibility gains and 70%+ core strength improvement in Ambuja partnership cohorts, 11 Youth World Championship representations, and 140 medals at NCoE Rohtak and 72 medals at Nadiad in 2024-25.

Revenue is dominated by grants and CSR funding, supplemented by modest fee income from two professional certification programs priced at INR 48,000 and INR 50,000 + GST per participant. Detailed financials are not publicly disclosed. Governance is family-led, with Vita Dani (Director), Jalaj Dani (Promoter), and Mudit Dani (Director) on the board, supported by a professional management team including CEO Cdr. Rajesh Rajagopalan, COO Vaibhav Tandon, and VP-High Performance Imran Nadaph. The organization employs 61 staff and holds Great Place to Work certification.

Name

Dani Sports Foundation

Legal name

Dani Sports Foundation

Website

https://danisports.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Dani Sports Foundation is a Mumbai-based non-profit operating sports-for-development and elite athlete programs across India, reaching 600,000+ students in 2,379 schools across 10 states through CSR-funded partnerships and paid certification programs for coaches and administrators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Development / Sport-for-Development

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Community Relations & Grassroots Program Management (MPAKAKAJ), Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ), Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

Keywords

• Sports development programs
• Grassroots sports funding
• Athlete training support
• Physical literacy education
• Sports-for-development

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Making and CSR Funding: DSF operates as a foundation receiving grants and CSR funding from corporate partners (Ambuja Foundation, Bajaj Auto, etc.) to support grassroots sports NGOs, sports development programs, and social impact initiatives. Funding is distributed as catalytic grants with technical support to partner organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dani Sports Foundation runs sports-for-development programs across two verticals: Physical Literacy (school-based PE curriculum, the Chhalaang Fund grant program for grassroots NGOs, the Pune Program, and the SfT Fellowship) and High Performance (athlete support, leadership and coach development certifications, and Nadiad and NCoE Rohtak academies). Foundation programs are delivered free to beneficiaries via CSR and grant funding; the Leadership and Coach Development programs charge fees to sports administrators and coaches.

Product overview

Dani Sports Foundation operates as a sports development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs across two main verticals: Physical Literacy and High Performance. The Physical Literacy vertical includes the Chhalaang Fund (grant-making for grassroots NGOs), the Sports for Transformation Fellowship (a two-year residential training program), and the Pune Program (school-based physical education). The High Performance vertical encompasses the Athlete Support Program (table tennis talent development), the Leadership Program and Coach Development Program (capacity building certifications), and High Performance Academies (Nadiad and NCoE Rohtak). The foundation also offers Impact Assessment Services to help partner organizations measure outcomes. Together, these programs form a comprehensive ecosystem addressing sports-based social change from grassroots development to elite athlete training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chhalaang Fund: A fund by Dani Sports Foundation to support NGOs using sports for social change, offering catalytic grants with technical support and mentorship to grassroots organizations.
• Sports for Transformation Fellowship (SfT)
• High Performance Program

Products and services

• Physical Literacy Program A foundational sports development program that builds basic sports skills, tactical gameplay, physical attributes (strength, speed, endurance), and social skills through structured physical education in schools and communities. Delivered free to beneficiaries via grant funding.
• High Performance Program An elite athlete development program identifying, training, and nurturing athletes with national/international potential through expert coaching, world-class infrastructure, sports science support, and individualized training plans. Delivered free to selected athletes.
• Athlete Support Program A dedicated table tennis athlete nurturing initiative that provides selected athletes with tailored budgeting, mentorship, tournament planning, access to experts, and performance tracking through a structured athlete-centered and data-informed approach.
• High Performance Leadership Program A 7-month certification program co-curated with Abhinav Bindra Foundation that equips Indian sports administrators with advanced management and leadership skills across sports organization, emotional intelligence, talent identification, strategy, and sport science. Standard fee INR 50,000 + GST; early bird/group discount INR 45,000 + GST.
• Coach Development Program A certification program equipping grassroots and elite-level coaches with advanced training methodologies, athlete management skills, and sport-specific knowledge through 12 expert-led sessions covering athlete development, coaching methodology, sports science integration, and leadership. Standard fee INR 48,000 + GST; discounted INR 40,000 + GST for early bird or group of 4+.
• High Performance Academies Elite training centers including Nadiad Academy (Gujarat; multi-sport - archery, athletics, judo, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling) and NCoE Rohtak (Haryana; boxing with 155+ boxers) operating through public-private partnerships. Provides athletes with world-class infrastructure, sports science services, expert coaching, and structured development pathways.
• Chhalaang Fund A grant-making initiative providing catalytic funding, strategy, and leadership support to grassroots sports-based NGOs working in physical literacy, early talent development, and inclusive access to sports, with technical assistance and mentorship.
• Sports for Transformation (SfT) Fellowship India's first Sports for Development fellowship - a two-year residential program (started June 2023) run in partnership with Kapadwanj Kelavani Mandal that trains individuals aged 20-25 in using sports for social impact through fieldwork, structured learning, mentorship, and professional integration. Fellows receive INR 20,000/month stipend plus accommodation and travel reimbursements.
• Pune Program A physical education initiative launched in 2022 across 35 schools in Pune's Khed and Mawal blocks, ensuring 60 hours of engaging PE annually through activity-based sessions, teacher training, Fit School events, Khel-Mela, and Khel Utsav activities.
• Impact Assessment Services Comprehensive review and evaluation services for partner organizations that design simple, reliable ways to measure outcomes, track progress, and capture stories of change through baseline studies and program evaluations combining data with on-ground insights.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600,000+ students empowered through inclusive, values-based sports programs
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Kapadwanj Kelavani Mandal (KKM Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Joint initiative (Sports for Transformation Fellowship) started June 2023 - a two-year residential interdisciplinary program for youth passionate about using sport for social impact. KKM serves as learning, facilitation, and infrastructure partner, providing the replicable community model for fellows' field experience.
• Ambuja FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding and implementation partner for physical literacy programs. DSF provides curriculum design, training modules, monitoring systems, and assessment frameworks. Programs reach 8,200+ students across 87 schools in seven districts of five states (Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh).
• Pratham FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to strengthen school and community-based sports programs. Jointly creating structured sports nurseries, introducing fitness routines in schools, and training fellows and volunteers to drive participation, talent identification, and leadership through sport.
• Piramal FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmbedding structured physical education in government schools across 23 Aspirational Districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Local NGOs trained to deliver sessions with curriculum integrated into government schools. Reached 4.8+ lakh children in 2,388 schools.
• Abhinav Bindra FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-curators of High Performance Leadership Program and High Performance Coach Development Program. ABF brings Olympic expertise and strategic guidance to DSF's capacity building initiatives for sports administrators and coaches.
• Loughborough Sport (Loughborough University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge and content partner for High Performance Capacity Building Programs. Loughborough Sport contributes expertise in sports science, athlete development, and high-performance sports management to DSF's training curricula.
• International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSF is host organization and implementation partner for the Girls' Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway Project in India. Co-leading workshops in Pune, Chennai, and Mumbai to strengthen safe and inclusive coaching practices for girls in table tennis.
• Sports Authority of India (SAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTripartite partnership for NCoE Rohtak (boxing) between SAI, DSF, and FPSG/OGQ. DSF provides funding, expertise, and program execution support to India's largest boxing hub with 155+ boxers.
• Sports Authority of GujaratcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership for Nadiad High-Performance Centre. SAG provides infrastructure support; DSF brings funding, expertise, and program execution. Academy supports 230+ athletes in archery, athletics, judo, taekwondo, volleyball, and wrestling. Recognized under Khelo India State Centre of Excellence scheme.
• CognizantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployee engagement partnership where Cognizant volunteers support school events like Khel Mela, mentor students, and facilitate games in government schools to promote sports, play, and youth development.
• Shiv Nadar Institution of EminenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEight participants from Shiv Nadar IoE nominated to join the High Performance Coach Development Program, empowering emerging coaches with world-class training and strengthening India's sports ecosystem.
• Brahmaputra Volleyball League (BVL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge and technical partner supporting BVL's operational systems, training frameworks, and monitoring mechanisms. BVL engages 4,800+ children annually across 32 Assam districts. DSF supports coach capacity building, curriculum refinement, and leadership development.
• Malvi Education & Charitable Trust (MECT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to embed sports culture in tribal children's education. DSF provides curriculum-based sports sessions, teacher training, and coaching systems for 830+ tribal children in Gujarat.
• Hockey Ace Foundation (Tata Trusts & Tata Steel)flagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDSF undertaking strategic impact assessment of Naval Tata Hockey Academy (Jamshedpur) and Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre (Bhubaneswar). Assessment spans athlete development pathways, coaching structures, sports science, infrastructure, governance, and stakeholder engagement.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Abhinav Bindra Foundation: India-focused athlete development and excellence foundation led by India's first individual Olympic gold medallist. Comparable niche (high-performance sport science) and is an active content partner of DSF's leadership programs.
• Mary Kom Foundation: India boxing-focused foundation supporting grassroots and elite boxing talent. Comparable in sport-development / grant-making structure, though narrower scope (single sport).
• Tata Trusts (Sports programmes incl. Hockey Ace Foundation): Major Indian philanthropic institution running elite sport academies (e.g., Naval Tata Hockey Academy) with high-performance pathways. Comparable on elite academy operations, and DSF has been contracted as impact assessment partner.

Direct peers

• RoundGlass Foundation: Sports-for-development-focused non-profit working across India and South Asia on grassroots sport, women's empowerment through sport, and elite talent support. Highly comparable scope (grassroots + high performance) and geographic focus.
• Olympic Gold Quest: India's leading sports NGO funding elite Olympic athletes across disciplines. Directly comparable to DSF's High Performance vertical and grant-making model supporting Indian athletes at international competitions.
• GoSports Foundation: Indian non-profit supporting emerging athletes through financial assistance, mentorship, and skill-development programs. Directly comparable as an India-based sports development foundation serving young talent with similar program pillars.
• JSW Sports: Corporate-backed sports foundation in India (JSW Group) supporting elite athletes and running high-performance training programmes. Comparable to DSF on athlete support programs, corporate CSR-funded model, and academy-style operations.
• Magic Bus India Foundation: Major Indian sports-for-development NGO using sport to deliver education and life-skills outcomes for underprivileged youth. Directly comparable to DSF's Physical Literacy vertical and Chhalaang-style community outreach model.

Others

• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global sport-for-development funder supporting community programmes worldwide using sport as a tool for social change. Comparable mission and grant-making model, but operates on a much larger international scale.
• Right To Play: Global NGO using sport and play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Comparable mission to DSF's Physical Literacy and SfT Fellowship programs from a curriculum/programmatic standpoint, though operates at much larger international scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/danisportsfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/dani_sports_foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Dani Sports Foundation