Mumbai, 10 September 2026: SBI Foundation and the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) have partnered to implement SBIF ACE: GOLD (Gearing for Olympic Dominance), an initiative aimed at supporting 40+ accomplished and promising Indian track & field athletes as they prepare for upcoming international sporting events.
As part of the partnership, the selected athletes will have access to the Inspire Institute of Sport’s high-performance training facilities in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. The athletes will benefit from state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment, sports science and performance analytics, specialised coaching, and comprehensive training and athlete-support services.
The programme will provide the athletes with a robust sports and performance ecosystem to strengthen their preparation and support their pursuit of excellence on the international stage. They will train under a team of high-performance coaches, including Troy Douglas, who will lead track training, and Yoandri Betanzos, who will support the jumps programme.
Commenting on the partnership, Swapan Dhar, Managing Director, SBI Foundation, said, “SBI Foundation is pleased to partner with the Inspire Institute of Sport, a significant step towards strengthening India’s high-performance sports ecosystem. As Indian athletes continue to make their mark on global sporting platforms, it is essential to provide them with access to quality training, advanced sports science, expert coaching, and sustained support. Through SBIF ACE: GOLD, we aim to enable and empower athletes to achieve their potential and contribute to India’s sporting ambitions.”
The partnership will also support athletes who have demonstrated exceptional performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, including Praveen Chithravel (silver medallist), Gulveer Singh (silver and bronze medallist), Selva Prabhu (bronze medallist), and Seema Kaliramna (bronze medallist).
Including these four, 20+ athletes supported through the programme are set to represent India at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan. Their participation reflects the potential of India’s emerging sporting talent and the importance of sustained, high-quality preparation ahead of major international competitions.
Manisha Malhotra, President – Inspire Institute of Sports, said “Indian athletics is at an exciting stage, with our athletes increasingly demonstrating that they can compete and succeed on the biggest international platforms. This makes it an important time to invest in and strengthen the systems that support them. SBI is a name that is recognised and trusted by millions of Indians, and having an institution of this scale come forward to support our athletics programme is a significant boost for our athletes and for the sport. We are delighted to welcome SBI Foundation as a partner and look forward to working together to give more athletes the opportunity, support and confidence to pursue excellence at the highest level. With the Asian Games ahead and Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, this partnership comes at a very important moment for Indian athletics.”
Through SBIF ACE: GOLD, SBI Foundation and IIS will continue to support the selected athletes in their preparation for key international events, while building a long-term pathway towards India’s aspirations at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
About SBI Foundation:
SBI Foundation is the CSR arm of the State Bank Group. True to the Bank’s tradition of ‘Service Beyond Banking’, the Foundation engages with communities in various focus areas, including rural development, healthcare, empowerment of PwDs, sports, education, sustainability and environment, livelihood and skill development, and more. Operating across 28 states AND 8 union territories in India, the Foundation undertakes initiatives to provide resources to vulnerable sections of society through strategic partnerships with impactful entities in the social sector. The Foundation believes in reflecting the ethos of the State Bank Group in running interventions that are ethical, promote growth and equality, and improve the socio-economic well-being of the society. www.sbifoundation.in
About Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS):
Inspire Institute of Sport is India’s premier high-performance Olympic programme dedicated to nurturing sporting talent across multiple disciplines. With a commitment to excellence, IIS provides athletes with world-class training, cutting-edge facilities, and mentorship from top coaches and experts, empowering them to achieve their full potential on the global stage.
