Future Varsity in collaboration with the Association of Sports, Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (ASNFS), Lifeness Science Institute (LSI) , Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM) successfully hosted Khelotkarsh, International Sports Conference 2025 on 13 September 2025 at Marathi Bhasha Bhavan, University of Mumbai. The conference was dedicated to exploring the multifaceted factors that influence sports performance.
The conference began with an inaugural address by Dr. Col. Anup Krishnan, Professor and Director, School of Sports, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, D.Y. Patil University, and our Chief Guest. His message set the tone for the day emphasising that athlete success requires science, strategy and synergy.
Key Highlights & Speaker Insights
Nutrition & Smart Eating
The event highlighted how performance is impacted by dietary choices and nutrition for athletes.
Experts emphasised practical strategies, evidence-based knowledge and personalised approaches to nutrition. The discussions focused on busting myths, simplifying science and helping athletes make informed decisions that directly impact energy, recovery and long-term success.
- Dr. Geetanjali Bhide (Sports and Fitness Nutritionist, Secretary ASNFS) simplified the science of sports nutrition with practical clarity.
- Ms. Shreya Adhav (Founder, CEO & Chief Sports Nutritionist at SpirEat Sports Nutrition Clinic) showed how nutrition, when personalised, can become an athlete’s strongest competitive edge.
- Ms. Shiny Surendran (Sports Nutritionist, Founder- Art of Eating IOC) championed the art of “eating smart within budget ” giving athletes realistic hacks for nutrition on-the-go.
- Gauri Murthy (Sports Nutritionist, Founder- Gauri Murthy’s Wellness and Sports Nutrition Centre Mumbai) urged athletes to “choose smart, not just popular,” when it comes to supplementation.
- Dr. Sowmya Bharani (Sports nutritionist & Nutrigenomics practitioner, Founder & CEO – NutriGENEus, Bengaluru Worked in London Olympics and Paralympics, 2012) unpacked the challenges of navigating misinformation online, stressing evidence over trends.
Injury Prevention & Recovery
Speakers highlighted the need to protect athletes through proactive care and effective rehabilitation, reminding that performance and longevity in sport rely on prevention as much as recovery.
- Dr. Vaibhav Daga (Head-Sports Science and Rehabilitation Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani Hospital Mumbai) reminded us that prevention is as crucial as recovery, sharing strategies that focus on athlete safety, emphasising proactive injury prevention.
Mental Fitness & Resilience
The speakers focused on how balance, focus and mental strength are as vital as physical skills for consistent performance and success.
- Nicole Menzes (Founder & Lead Psychologist Grit Sport and Exercise Psychology Consultancy) made a strong case for mental fitness, underlining how staying mentally balanced often makes the difference between winning and falling short.
Stories from the Playground
Athletes from diverse sports, shared real experiences of grit, teamwork and discipline. They shared their journeys and highlighted the need for physical and mental fitness for successful performance across different sports.
- Aniket Mhatre (SNC Coach- Indian Kabbadi Team) brought the energy of the Kabaddi match, shedding light on the mental and physical resilience players need.
- Jitendra Aher (Master Powerlifter & Kabaddi Coach, Asian Championship Gold Medal [2025], Strongman Medal [2023, 2024, 2025] ) inspired stories of grit from powerlifting to Kabaddi coaching, and stressed on the need for self discipline.
- Bhumika Mane (International Football Player, represented U-17 Indian National Women’s team in Italy and Norway) reflected on her journey to the international football team, insisting on the need for dedication, hardwork and determination to become a successful sports person.
- Yogesh Kanchgar (Strength & Conditioning Trainer -Indian Table Tennis Team, Paris Olympics [2024] ) highlighted how conditioning can push table tennis athletes to Olympic-level performance.
- Rajesh Sutar (Cricketer; Pinch Hitter; Mumbai team Selector) shared lessons from cricket, stressing on the need for discipline, mental fitness, dedication, hard work and adaptability to reach the highest level in sports.
- Parina Madanpotra (International Rhythmic Gymnast) showcased the elegance and rigour of rhythmic gymnastics, and emphasised on the need for family support, perseverance and balance between sports practice and studies for achieving success in sports.
- Mr. Virdhawal Khade (Distinguished Indian Swimmer & Coach, Olympian and Arjuna Awardee) left the audience motivated with his journey as an Olympian swimmer, reminding us that consistency creates champions.
Young International Prodigies at the Conference
Adding a global edge to the athlete nutrition, recovery, and prevention dialogue, Khelotkarsh – International Sports Conference 2025 also welcomed two rising stars from Zimbabwean cricket, Nathaniel Hlabangana and Kupakwashe Cornelius Muradzi
Nathaniel Hlabangana, 18, captain of the Zimbabwe U19 Emerging team, has already made his mark as a dependable top-order batsman. As a top ten all-time scorer at the U19 World Cup 2024 and having 164 runs at an average of 32 in a tri-series, he represents the grit and promise of Zimbabwe’s next cricketing generation.
Kupakwashe Cornelius Muradzi, 17, wicketkeeper & batsman rose through Zimbabwe’s provincial cricket from U13 to U15 and became Southern Rocks’ backup keeper at just 16. Today, as a Zimbabwe U19 regular with Zimbabwe A selection, he continues to showcase both consistency and determination on the field.
Together, the prodigies engaged with delegates and speakers, answering questions about their supplement intake, fitness journey and nutrition habits, adding a valuable young-athlete perspective to the discussions.
Summing Up the Day
Khelotkarsh International Sports Conference 2025 was more than a conference; it was a meeting ground for science, sport and inspiration. Delegates decoded nutrition to celebrate athlete journeys, reaffirming our belief that the future of sports lies in holistic performance, where body, mind and spirit move in harmony.
Future Varsity Education Group and ASNFS are proud to have co-created this international platform of learning, dialogue and inspiration and remain committed to advancing knowledge, collaboration and excellence in sports sciences. Together their vision and intellectual support helped make the conference a success.
