Management and Leadership in Sports Tourism in India: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Growth

Purpose: This paper critically examines management and leadership in India's sports tourism, identifying opportunities, challenges, and strategies for sustainable development. It synthesizes existing literature for this emerging sector. Methodology: A systematic review and synthesis of academic literature, industry reports, and policy documents focusing on sports tourism, management, and leadership in the Indian context. Findings: India's sports tourism market is projected to grow significantly. Realizing this hinges on robust governance, strategic management, and adaptive leadership. Opportunities include diversification; challenges involve regulatory hurdles. Local leadership boosts community income. Implications & Practical Applications: This study implies that robust policy, human capital development, and multi-tiered leadership are crucial for India's sports tourism. For sustainable growth, stakeholders must prioritize strategic planning, data-driven decisions, and public-private collaborations. Social Impact & Originality: Sports tourism, especially community-centric models, can increase local economic income and create jobs. This paper offers original, context-specific analysis, bridging a research gap by synthesizing factors and proposing a holistic framework for sustainable development.