Kavya Maran becomes the youngest member of Telangana Sports Development Fund

Kavya Maran’s Role and Expertise in Sports Governance

Apart from the daughter of  Kalanithi Maran, Sun Group chairman, Kavya Maran has established herself as a name, especially in sports, as an enthusiastic leader of the franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. SRH had claimed malpractice and blackmailing from HCA during IPL 2025. It resulted in the board's President, Jagan Mohan Rao getting arrested.

In recent years, Maran emerged as one of the most powerful personalities in the sports industry, which led her to a new milestone in her remarkable career as the 14th board member of the Telangana Sports Development Fund. 

Her role in the TSDF is expected to focus on leveraging corporate partnerships to enhance sports infrastructure and promote inclusivity, particularly for women and rural athletes. Under her stewardship, SRH has emerged as a competitive force, reaching the IPL finals in 2024 and consistently showcasing strategic acumen in team management and player development. 

Maran’s vision also extended internationally, with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, a franchise under her guidance, clinching consecutive titles in South Africa’s SA20 league in 2023 and 2024. Her ability to blend business expertise with a deep understanding of sports dynamics has earned her recognition as one of India’s most influential women in sports administration.

She is also a businesswoman who honed her role at Sun TV Network, one of India’s largest media conglomerates, which complements her passion for sports. Her strategic insights are anticipated to play a pivotal role in implementing the Telangana Sports Policy, which aims to create a robust ecosystem for athletes.

Telangana’s Vision for a Sporting Revolution

The formation of the TSDF and the unveiling of the Telangana Sports Policy signal the state’s commitment to becoming a leader in India’s sporting revolution. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy described the policy as “a document etched in gold,” emphasizing its potential to transform Telangana into a cradle for Olympic champions. 

The state aims to host the National Games within the next two years, a goal with ambitions to compete with international sporting hubs. The policy prioritizes grassroots development, with plans to identify and nurture talent through district-level academies and specialized coaching programs.

During the Telangana Sports Conclave, Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra stressed the importance of building a “playing population” to elevate India’s sporting prowess. “A strong grassroots system is the backbone of any sporting nation,” he said, advocating for accessible infrastructure and early talent identification. Pullela Gopichand, a renowned badminton coach and a member of the panel, also agreed with his statement.  

The TSDF board, with Maran’s inclusion, ensures that these insights are turned into actionable strategies, ensuring that Telangana’s sports ecosystem is both inclusive and competitive.

The board’s diverse composition, blending sporting legends with corporate and administrative expertise, is designed to address the multifaceted challenges of sports development. Maran’s experience in managing high-stakes sports franchises positions her to bridge the gap between corporate investment and on-ground execution. Her appointment also aligns with the policy’s focus on empowering women in sports, as she serves as a role model for aspiring female athletes and administrators.