A former Karnataka state-level tennis player and university basketball player, Deepthi transitioned from an athlete to finance, working as a wealth advisor and trainer at HSBC for six years. In the quest of wanting to change the narrative around Indian Sport, leading her to move into sports administration in 2012. Holding an MBA from the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Deepthi over the last decade, has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Indian sports through her work with the GoSports Foundation. A Chevening Gurukul fellow from the University of Oxford, Deepthi’s leadership has seen the Foundation grow in impact and play a role in the journeys of nearly 50 Olympians and Paralympians, including 10 Paralympic medallists. She is currently serving on the committee of Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), an initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, to support emerging and elite athletes in their quest to win Olympic and Paralympic medals. She was felicitated by NISAU in the inaugural edition of the India UK Achievers Honours 75 at 75 in January 2023. She has also successfully accomplished the Everest Base Camp Trek
SPEARHEADING THE GROWTH OF GOSPORTS FOUNDATION
Deepthi’s 11-year journey with GoSports Foundation reflects her impactful career progression from Communications Director to her current role as CEO. Her tenure has been marked by significant contributions to the Indian sporting ecosystem. A key achievement under Deepthi’s leadership is the initiation of the ‘Girls for Gold’ program in collaboration with Infosys Foundation, which aims to improve infrastructure and sports science in academies to nurture future female sports stars in India. Her efforts have broken barriers in the male-dominated sports industry, setting an example for women to follow and excel in this field.
Deepthi’s role was instrumental in raising awareness about Paralympic sports during the 2016 Rio Paralympics. As an advocate for changing perceptions around disability, she has been a strong voice on various platforms addressing these issues.
The GoSports Foundation, under Deepthi’s leadership, was honored with the prestigious ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar – National Sports Encouragement Award’ by the President of India, a recognition of their efforts in nurturing young talent. This award highlights her collaborative work with advisors like Rahul Dravid, Pullela Gopichand, John Gloster, and, previously, Abhinav Bindra.
Throughout her tenure at the GoSports Foundation, she has engaged with national leaders, including Former Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sport Ministers and other National and Industry leaders towards the betterment of the Indian sporting ecosystem.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2016 Rio Paralympics Coverage: Deepthi provided extensive coverage of the 2016 Rio Paralympics when no other Indian media was present on the ground. Her work includes interviews with prominent Paralympians and a comprehensive review of the event. You can view her coverage on YouTube: Interview and Review at Rio Paralympics 2016 and Paralympics 2016 Review.
Victoria Invitation Programme International Delegation (2018): Participated in this esteemed international delegation in Australia.
National Sports Education Board: Part of the National Committee for the creation of a National Sports Education Board.
FICCI ‘Empowering the Greater 50%’ Campaign (2020): Nominated to be a part of the campaign aimed at empowering women.
CII – National Committee on Sports (2021-22): Part of the Committee on Sports by the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Chevening Gurukul Fellowship (2022): Pursued the prestigious fellowship for Leadership and Excellence at the University of Oxford.
Member of the Mission Olympic Cell for TOPS: Engaged in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) as a member.
75@75 India UK Achievers Honours: Recognized for her contributions to sports in India by NISAU.
APPEARANCES AND ENGAGEMENTS
TEDx Talks: Delivered a talk titled “The Right Place at The Right Time.”
Podcasts: Featured in episodes such as “Inspire Someone Today” (E31) and “Active CEO Podcast” (2019, Episode 69).
Webinars and Conferences: Spoken at various platforms, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Sports Webinar on Resumption of Sports, BW Sports World Webinar on Monetizing Non-Cricketing Sports, Sports Law and Policy Symposium 2020, Mass Participation World Conference 2019 in Singapore, Women in Sports Unplugged, Episode 7, CSR in Sports, Sportsy Say, CSR Box Impact Talks and the India CSR Summit 2017.
Special Initiatives: Participated as an expert in the Infosys ‘Catch Them Young’ Initiative.
Media Mentions: – Outlook India, Sportskeeda, YourStory, The Hindu, The Bastion, She Sports Switzerland, Brew Magazine
