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EspañolIntroducing Dr. Kishore Gopinathan – ICSSPE Executive Board Member
ICSSPE
29/01/2026 10:18
The International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) is pleased to highlight the interview with Dr. Kishore Gopinathan, Executive Board Member of ICSSPE and Vice Chancellor of the Young India Sports University. With a distinguished career spanning national sport administration, higher education leadership, and sport science development, Dr. Gopinathan brings a vital Global South perspective to ICSSPE’s mission of advancing sport education, research, and policy worldwide.
Dr. Gopinathan’s professional journey has been deeply rooted in strengthening sport systems through education. Over several decades, he has worked at the intersection of sport science, coaching, governance, and institutional development, playing a key role in shaping academic pathways that connect theory with high-performance practice and public policy. His leadership has been instrumental in positioning sport education as a driver of national capacity building and social development.
Before assuming his current role, Dr. Gopinathan served in senior academic and administrative positions, including at the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), one of India’s leading institutions for sport and physical education. Across these roles, he has consistently championed the integration of sport science laboratories, coach education, management studies, and research-led innovation within university environments.
As Vice Chancellor of the Young India Sports University, Dr. Gopinathan is actively shaping a new model of sport education that aligns academic excellence with athlete development pathways, technological innovation, and ethical governance. His work emphasises the responsible use of emerging technologies, including AI-driven analytics and data-informed high-performance systems, while ensuring that education remains grounded in values, inclusion, and cultural context.
In his interview, Dr. Gopinathan highlights several key areas where he believes ICSSPE can play a transformative role:
- Bridging academia, policy, and practice: He underscores ICSSPE’s unique position to connect universities, national sport bodies, and international organisations, translating research into evidence-based policies and practical frameworks that strengthen sport systems globally.
- Technology, innovation, and ethics in sport education: While advocating for the integration of sport science labs, digital learning platforms, and AI-supported analytics, Dr. Gopinathan stresses the importance of ethical governance, data responsibility, and capacity building for educators and coaches.
- Inclusion, cultural diversity, and traditional knowledge: Drawing on his experience working with diverse populations and indigenous sport traditions, he calls for sport education that values cultural heritage, promotes gender equality, supports persons with disabilities, and contributes to social cohesion and equity.
Dr. Gopinathan’s vision closely aligns with ICSSPE’s commitment to evidence-based practice, inclusive development, and global cooperation in sport and physical activity. His leadership strengthens ICSSPE’s role as a bridge between research, education, and policy, particularly for emerging sport education institutions and rapidly developing sport systems.
Read the full interview with Dr. Kishore Gopinathan in the attachment below to explore his insights on sport education, innovation, ethics, and the future role of ICSSPE in shaping sustainable and inclusive global sport systems.
