Axis Bank and GoSports Foundation Launch 'The Performance Institute' in Bengaluru

Mumbai, July 01, 2026: Axis Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GoSports Foundation to establish the Axis Bank-GoSports Foundation 'The Performance Institute' (AGTPI) in Bengaluru, a sports science facility aimed at advancing athlete performance, research, and capacity building within India's sporting ecosystem.

AGTPI will be housed at the Centre for Sports Excellence (CSE) in Bengaluru. Axis Bank will serve as the founding partner, directing CSR grants towards the institute's establishment and growth, while GoSports Foundation will lead administration, programme implementation, and strategic partnerships.

The institute is structured around three core pillars. The People pillar will develop India's sports science and performance workforce through training programmes, fellowships, mentorship, and professional development pathways. The Analytics pillar will offer performance testing, biomechanics analysis, recovery monitoring, injury-risk assessment, and data-driven planning, alongside the development of India-specific athlete performance databases. The Research pillar will focus on generating indigenous sports science knowledge through applied research, university collaborations, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to support athletes and advance the broader field.

Vijay Mulbagal, Group Head – Wholesale Bank Coverage, Corporate Salary, Sustainability & CSR, Axis Bank, said: "India's sporting ambitions are entering a defining phase, and ensuring sustained success for Indian athletes globally will require not only talent and training but also a strong foundation of domestic sports science and medicine. Despite India's rising sporting successes, it still relies largely on foreign performance data and benchmarks which are not entirely aligned with the needs and realities of Indian athletes. At Axis Bank, we are proud to partner with GoSports Foundation to help build an institution that can play a pioneering role in bringing together data, research, analytics, and expertise, to create a robust domestic sports science ecosystem."

Nandan Kamath, Managing Trustee, GoSports Foundation, said: "This collaboration reflects a shared belief that sustained sporting success is built on strong foundations. Great athletes emerge from great systems, and those systems depend on people, knowledge, and continuous innovation. Our goal is to build a faster, higher and stronger future for Indian sport — together."

Saugato Banerjee, CEO, GoSports Foundation, added: "We thank Axis Bank for believing in GoSports Foundation's track record and future commitment to powering the Indian sports ecosystem. We look forward to announcing initiatives under The Performance Institute that truly unlock India's sporting potential — from participation to podium."

Vivek Kumar, Founder and Promoter, Centre for Sports Excellence, said: "CSE was built to give every athlete an environment that helps them be their best. The AGTPI strengthens that environment, adding world-class capability in sports science, testing and research. We thank Axis Bank and GoSports Foundation for choosing to house the institute at CSE."