As the Olympic Games draw to a close, attention is not only on the athletes competing for glory, but also on the transformative role technology has played in shaping modern sport and training methods. Over the past few years, innovations such as wearable devices, performance analysis and virtual reality have revolutionized the way athletes prepare for competition, enhancing training regimes and optimizing performance.
The intersection of sports and technology is dramatically changing the face of sports. From advanced sensors that track physiological metrics to smart equipment that provides real-time feedback, technology has become an essential part of an athlete's toolkit.
“Technology fits perfectly into the macro structure of the modern ecosystem of sports performance analytics. By democratizing access to professional level analytics and tools, it empowers young athletes and coaches, helping to nurture grassroots talent and instill a competitive spirit by providing insights traditionally only available to the most elite athletes,” said Sudeep Kulkarni, Founder and CEO of Game Theory.
The sports industry is increasingly harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform how performance is analysed and outcomes are predicted, he said.
Athletes can use augmented reality (AR) to play against virtual opponents and mimic game situations, which helps develop quick decision-making under pressure.
Gurugram-based sports technology company Stupa Sports Analytics recently provided analytics support to the Indian table tennis team during their preparation camp for the Paris Olympics, including performance analysis, rally analysis and AI insights for both players and coaches.
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“The data has helped us clarify our strategies to play against the best players in the world. Renowned players like Sharat Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, Manika Batra, Archana Kamath and Sreeja Akra have benefited from these insights to improve their preparation and performance,” said Megha Gambhir, CEO and co-founder, Stupa Sports Analytics. Augmented reality (AR) is also enhancing the spectator experience. AR solutions allow fans to access additional information about players and statistics during live events.
According to a report by the Capgemini Research Institute, nearly 70% of 10,000 people surveyed said emerging technologies have improved their overall spectator experience, both inside and outside the stadium.
Emerging technology is undoubtedly the future of sports, and tech startups are at the forefront of this golden age, bringing technology to sports through startups that are changing the way athletes train, compete, and engage with fans.
These startups are driving innovation and setting new standards in the sports industry.
Mustafa Goos, founder and general partner at gaming and sports tech venture capital firm Centre Court Capital, said sports tech startups are becoming a target area for venture capital due to the huge potential for innovation and growth in the sector.
“In India, we are seeing growing interest, especially in the niche area of sports tech. In the last three years, there has been $1.2 billion investment in sports tech in India. India is also the third highest funded country in the sports tech space between 2018 and 2022, after the US, followed by China,” he said.
Goose further said that Indian sports tech startups have started attracting attention not only from domestic investors but also from global investors.
“Increased media rights allocations and a surge in digital consumption of sports content are driving demand for advanced technology requirements. This, coupled with the widespread adoption of smart devices and internet connectivity, is creating fertile ground for sports tech start-ups to thrive and attract significant investments,” he said.
