Namrata Adani backs ISSO's next phase of growth as network expands to over 630 schools
Ahmedabad, Aug 10
The International Schools Sports Organisation is set for its biggest season yet, with its network expanding to more than 630 schools and student-athlete participation expected to cross 28,000 during the 2026-27 season, as the organisation steps up efforts to build structured pathways in school sport across India.
Namrata Adani, an Advisory Board Member of ISSO and the Founding Director and Promoter of Adani International School, Ahmedabad, is playing a key role in driving the organisation's vision to create a more comprehensive and future-ready sports ecosystem for young athletes.
ISSO has recorded significant growth over the last two seasons, expanding from 440 schools in 2024-25 to 510 in 2025-26, before crossing the 630-school mark this season. Participation has similarly risen from 21,100 student-athletes to nearly 24,900, with the organisation now projecting more than 28,000 participants.
Speaking on the expansion, Namrata Adani said, "Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the transformative power of sport. At ISSO, we are building an ecosystem where young athletes are encouraged not only to compete, but also to lead, learn and grow. The remarkable growth of ISSO reflects the trust that schools, educators and parents have placed in this vision. As we expand our reach, we remain committed to nurturing talent, empowering coaches, creating new opportunities and ensuring that every student has the platform to realise their full potential."
The organisation's focus extends beyond conducting competitions, with initiatives aimed at strengthening different stages of an athlete's development. ISSO IGNITE, its residential high-performance programme, provides training camps under nationally and internationally accredited coaches.
At the coaching level, ISSO Academy has partnered with the International School Sport Federation (ISF) Academy, FIBA, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Kukkiwon to offer internationally recognised education and certification programmes.
ISSO has also introduced SCORE (Sports Career Opportunities Reimagined) to help students understand opportunities beyond competitive sport. The initiative connects young athletes with universities, industry leaders, and sports professionals to raise awareness of academic and career options in the sports sector.
The organisation has also widened its competitive and professional pathways through its collaboration with the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), particularly for young golfers seeking a route towards higher levels of the sport.
The expansion will be accompanied by a busy competitive calendar. ISSO is scheduled to conduct national championships in Football, Tennis, Chess, Swimming, Judo, Taekwondo, Karate and Badminton during September, with several other major events planned through the remainder of the 2026-27 season.
With its growing school network, increased participation, and emphasis on coaching, performance development, and careers, ISSO is seeking to move school sport beyond participation alone and to create a more connected pathway from grassroots competition to high-performance and professional opportunities.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a parent of two school-going athletes, this is truly heartening. The SCORE initiative is particularly interesting—my daughter wants to pursue sports management, and knowing that ISSO is connecting students with universities and industry leaders gives us hope. The Adani backing adds credibility too. 👏
Good to see private initiatives filling the gaps our public sports system has failed to address for decades. But let's not forget that this is primarily urban and private-school focused. The real challenge is taking this to government schools and rural areas where the most raw talent lies. I hope the expansion plans include that eventually.
The partnership with DP World PGTI for golf is such a niche move! 😄 But honestly, it's great that they're not just focusing on cricket and football. Giving young golfers a professional pathway through school sports is something we've never had before. Very forward-thinking approach.
Impressive numbers—21,100 to 24,900 to 28,000 in three seasons shows real momentum. But I wish the article had more details about how schools can actually enroll or how the coaching certification programs work. For a parent in Tier-2 city, the accessibility still seems unclear. Hopefully the ISSO website has more information.
It's inspiring to see sports infrastructure developing at the grassroots level in India. The IGNITE residential program and international coaching partnerships are world-class initiatives. This is how you build a sports culture—not just through professional leagues, but by investing in school-level development. Kudos to the entire team! 🏅
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