Arjun Gupta, Founder and CEO of KragBuzz Sports, joined the FICCI Sports Committee delegation on a visit to Paris and Marseille, France, along with Business France. The purpose of the visit was to learn from France’s Olympic legacy and explore ideas that could help improve India’s sports ecosystem.
The delegation included more than 12 leaders from India’s sports industry. They met international sports experts to discuss topics such as sports business, infrastructure, governance, and innovation.
During the visit, the group toured famous sports venues, including the Marseille Velodrome Stadium, Nautical Stadium, Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille, Stade de France, and Paris City Hall.
The delegation learned how France has turned its Olympic and sports facilities into successful year-round venues through community participation, commercial activities, and better fan experiences.
The members also attended RIGES 2026, an international conference on major sporting events, where experts shared ideas about the future of global sports.
“It was an honor to represent India”: Arjun Gupta, CEO KragBuzz Sports
Speaking about the visit, Arjun Gupta, Founder and CEO of KragBuzz Sports, said that it was an honor to represent India. He added that France has shown how sports infrastructure can continue creating value even after major events end. According to him, India is making good progress in sports with the government’s support, and there is a lot to learn from France about building sustainable stadiums, increasing sports participation, and creating strong public-private partnerships.
The visit also gave the Indian delegation a chance to meet French sports organisations, businesses, and policymakers. They exchanged ideas on sports infrastructure, athlete development, innovation, and international cooperation.
The delegation was hosted by the Consul General of India in Marseille and also met organisations involved in planning for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games. These discussions provided useful insights into event planning and creating a lasting legacy after major sporting events.
After the visit, the FICCI Sports Committee will prepare a white paper titled “French Olympic Legacy: Key Learnings for India’s Journey Ahead.” The report will be shared with government and industry leaders to support India’s long-term sports development.
The committee also plans to invite a French delegation to India during FICCI TURF 2026 to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in sports and the sports business sector.
