Our Team
Top industry experts from sports and various fields collaborate to ensure smooth functioning at our sports academy, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge for optimal operations.
Our Board of Directors bring visionary leadership, steering the academy towards excellence with strategic planning and a passion for sports development.
Shri Jalaj Dani
Chairman & Director
Shri Jalaj Dani
Shri Jalaj Dani is chief promoter of the Dani foundation, he is also a co-promoter of Asian Paints Limited and has spent over two decades in leadership positions within the organization. Currently, he is Chairman - Addverb Technologies, Chairman - IIM Trichy, Independent Director of HDFC and Havells.
In a career spanning over two decades, he has provided leadership in the areas of healthcare, education, rural transformation, sports, skilling, and disaster management. He continues to be on the boards of various organizations, government bodies, and industry chambers.
Shri Dhanraj Nathwani
Director
Shri Dhanraj Nathwani
Shri Dhanraj Nathwani is a distinguished business leader and visionary strategist, currently serving as Group President of Reliance Industries and as Director of Reliance New Energy Limited and Reliance Projects & Property Management Services Limited.
He played a pivotal role in the development of the Narendra Modi Stadium, one of the world’s largest and most advanced cricket venues. He also contributes to society through leadership and advisory roles, including Director of Reliance Group Support Services Private Limited, President of the Gujarat Cricket Association, and active involvement with the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), Gujarat.
Shri Durgesh Agarwal
Director
Shri Durgesh Agarwal
Shri Durgesh Agarwal is a second-generation entrepreneur and driving force behind DA Group, spanning textiles, infrastructure, real estate, finance, and industrial solutions. He leads strategy, innovation, and execution, blending modern design with sustainable, community-focused development. Serving on university and social boards, he supports governance and nation-building while advancing philanthropy that empowers youth through nutrition, education, skill development, and employment across remote regions of Gujarat for inclusive growth and impact statewide.
Shri Dilip Thaker
Director
Shri Dilip Thaker
Shri Dilip Thaker is a senior public administrator with over 33 years of distinguished service in the Gujarat Secretariat Service. He spent 17 years in the office of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, contributing significantly to governance and public administration. He later served as Information Commissioner and subsequently as Chief Information Commissioner, Gujarat, reflecting his expertise in institutional oversight and public accountability.He currently serves as Trustee of Sanskardham Educational Institution, Trustee of Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and Member of the Board of Management at Anant National University, contributing to education and social development initiatives.
VBF’s Senior management is the backbone of the organization, ensuring smooth processes and efficiency. They excel at problem solving and workflows to drive success.
Eric Hollingsworth
High Performance Director
Eric Hollingsworth
Eric Hollingsworth is a highly experienced and reputed high-performance professional with decades of leadership experience across elite sport. Athletes overseen by Eric have delivered numerous medal-winning performances across multiple Olympic Games and major international championships, including the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Aditya Awasthi
Chief Operating Officer
Aditya Awasthi
Aditya Awasthi is a seasoned sports management professional. He oversees operations, while driving innovative strategies for growth and success for Vijayi Bharat Foundation. Previously, he headed football operations at Roundglass Punjab FC, an Indian top flight club competing in the Indian Super League.
Our Advisors, with their vast expertise and experience, provide valuable insights and guidance, ensuring we remain at the forefront of sports training and education.
Shri Sandip Pradhan
Advisor
Shri Sandip Pradhan
Shri Sandip Pradhan is one of India’s most experienced sports administrators, having served as Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) from 2019 to 2024. His stewardship was instrumental during two Olympic cycles—Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024—during which India achieved significant breakthroughs in Olympic and Paralympic sport. Previously, he has also served as Director General of the Sports Authority of Gujarat, strengthening grassroots and state‑level talent development.
Shri Gagan Narang
Advisor
Shri Gagan Narang
Shri Gagan Narang is one of India’s most celebrated shooting champions. An Olympic medallist and multiple-time World Cup and Commonwealth Games champion, he has played a defining role in elevating India’s stature in international rifle shooting through sustained excellence and consistency at the highest level.
He is the Founder of the Gun for Glory Shooting Academy, which has contributed significantly to the growth of competitive shooting in India. He also serves as Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and was appointed as the Chef de Mission for India’s contingent at the Paris Olympic Games 2024.
Shri Varun Mehta
Advisor
Shri Varun Mehta
Shri Varun Mehta is an industry leader and philanthropist, currently serving as Executive Director at Torrent Power and as a third-generation leader of the Torrent Group, one of India’s leading conglomerates. He began his career in the renewables division, playing a key role in shaping the Group’s entry into green energy, and later led a pioneering initiative to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for power generation in India.
He also oversees the Group’s expansion into new business verticals, including electricals, hospitals, and diagnostics. Through his leadership, Torrent Power became one of only five businesses globally to receive both the Sword of Honour and Globe of Honour from the British Safety Council in 2021, reflecting the Group’s commitment to excellence in safety and sustainability.
Shri Viren Rasquinha
Advisor
Shri Viren Rasquinha
Viren Rasquinha is an Olympian and a former captain of the Indian National Hockey team. In 2006, he was bestowed with the prestigious Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sporting honours. He has a dual major in Marketing and Strategy from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. Presently, Viren is the MD & CEO of OGQ, a not for profit foundation with the mission to win Olympic & Para Olympic Gold medals for India. He was selected as one of the 40 under 40 top Business Leaders in the country by Economic Times. He was a key part of the Prime Minister’s Task Force that created the roadmap for India’s preparations for 3 Olympic Games - Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 and LA 2028.
Shri Pullela Gopichand
Advisor
Shri Pullela Gopichand
Shri Pullela Gopichand is India’s most recognised badminton coach and a former All England Open champion. He is a recipient of Padma Bhushan, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, and the Dronacharya Award.
As the Chief National Coach and founder of the Gopichand Badminton Academy, he has built the backbone of India’s badminton revolution, mentoring world-class players and Olympic medallists who have achieved sustained success on the global stage. He has also contributed significantly to sports development in society through the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation.
Shri Cawas Billimoria
Advisor
Shri Cawas Billimoria
Shri Cawas Billimoria is a pioneering figure in Indian judo, recognized for his excellence as an athlete and his long‑standing contribution to martial arts in the country. An Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, he represented India at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in the heavyweight category.
His competitive career includes medals at the Asian Games and several international judo events, along with an unmatched record as a national champion for nearly a decade.
Shri Shrikant Iyengar
Advisor
Shri Shrikant Iyengar
Dr. Shrikant Iyengar is a highly respected sports physiotherapist with extensive experience across elite Indian sport. From 2007 to 2016, he was an integral part of India’s hockey set-up, including two Olympic campaigns at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. He has also contributed to high-performance environments in the Indian Premier League with the Rajasthan Royals, and currently plays a key role in athlete rehabilitation and recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Our sports academy is enriched by the involvement of top industry experts, including Olympian athletes, international coaches, sports management professionals, and sports science experts. Their diverse experience and world-class expertise ensure smooth functioning and high standards. These professionals bring valuable insights into training, athlete development, and sports administration, creating a dynamic environment for holistic growth.
Their collective knowledge shapes our academy into a hub of excellence, where aspiring athletes receive mentorship and training at par with global best practices.
Together to help the world better!
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Vijayi Bharat Sports Academy,
Sanskardham Campus, Road,
Ghuma, Godhavi, Gujarat – 382115