Issac T Thomas

International Basketball Player, ASC Junior Commissioned Officer

Issac is a distinguished athlete serving in the Indian Army Service Corps. He has represented India in multiple international sports exchange programs, including the Military Games in Bangladesh (2016), Sri Lanka (2016 & 2019), and the 18th Asian Games Test Event in Indonesia (2017). A key member of the Services team (2017–2018), he also represented Karnataka from 2012 to 2015 and was part of the Indian Camp from 2017 to 2022.

Arjun Padmakumar 

Sports Influencer

Arjun Padmakumar is the creator of Come Run With Arjun, a 70,000 plus running community built on small steps and joyful discipline. He laced up in his 30s out of curiosity and somehow never stopped, completing 3 marathons and 42 half marathons along the way. When he’s not on a long run or filming it, he is the Director of Performance Marketing for a US based e-commerce brand.

LinkedIn   |  Instagram

Joyce John Wesley

International Throwball Player

Joyce is the Senior Coordinator for Communications at Makkala Jagriti, an NGO committed to empowering underprivileged children through education. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Finance at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), she is also an accomplished Throwball and Athletics sportsperson, having represented India six times internationally and captained the national team five times, winning multiple gold medals and Best Player awards 

LinkedIn

Karan Joshua 

International Basketball player 

Karan Joshua is a former Christ University basketball player who represented India at the U-18 ABC Tournament held in Mongolia in 2012. During his time at Christ University, he was instrumental in helping the team qualify for the All India Inter-University Tournaments for two consecutive years. Currently, Karan works at Vialto Partners (formerly PwC), where he continues to bring the same dedication and discipline from his sporting career into his professional journey. 

Instagram

Ryan James

Sports & Corpoarte Lawyer/sports Commentator

Ryan is a qualified lawyer specializing in sports and corporate law, currently serving as a Legal Strategist for LBO, an Australia-based entity. Alongside his legal career, Ryan is an accomplished sports commentator and presenter, having covered over 300 live matches across multiple sports on leading platforms including Sony, Fancode, DD Sports, and Sportscast. With his unique blend of legal expertise and on-field insight, Ryan continues to bridge the worlds of sports, media, and law with professionalism and passion. 

LinkedIn

Akash Joseph

Sports Management Professional

Akash Joseph is a dynamic sports management graduate and former semi-professional athlete who represented Christ University at the 2018 All India Inter University Athletics Championships. With a deep-rooted passion for sports, he has cultivated extensive expertise in sports event management, marketing, sponsorship, and research. He distinguished himself by winning the 2022 Sports Sustainability Hackathon, outshining 120 peers from leading global sports management institutions.

LinkedIn | Instagram

Mahesh Bandari

Elite Soccer School, Founder& Technical Director 

Mahesh Bhandari is the Founder and Head Coach of Elite Soccer School, one of Bangalore’s fastest-growing football academies, training over 800 kids across 40 centres. A certified coach and mentor, he leads a team of 40+ professionals dedicated to grassroots football development. Through Elite Soccer School, he focuses on age-specific training, discipline, fitness, and fun-based learning. 

Instagram

Ann Mariya Joseph 

Lawyer-Entrepreneur-Founder-Sunshine

Law graduate and postgraduate in behavioural science from Christ University, blending psychology and healthcare innovation. Leading Sunshine, a first-of-its-kind 1000-day program that supports mothers babies and families from conception to the child’s 2nd birthday. Passionate about redesigning maternal care, integrating clinical support, mental wellness, and technology. Aspiring researcher in maternal mental health and postpartum care models. Believes in “Turning care into a continuous journey, not a one-time service.” 

LinkedIn

Manu Varghese

General Manager, Byzantine Cochin Football Club, 

An MSc Sports Business and Management graduate from the University of Liverpool, with a strong foundation in sports marketing, operations, and strategy. A UEFA C and FA National Goalkeeping licensed coach, passionate about advancing in the football industry. Holds a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Christ University, combining analytical and management skills to enhance sports development. Dedicated to bridging technical expertise with a deep understanding of the global sports landscape. 

LinkedIn

Nishad Nagraj

U-19 Head Coach, BFC

Nishad Nagraj is a Football Coach and Level2 Strength & Conditioning Coach associated with Bengaluru FC. He holds multiple qualifications, including a UEFA B in Tactical Coaching, a UEFA B in Football Fitness, and an ASCA Level 2 Strength and Conditioning Certification from the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association. Nishad brings a comprehensive approach to player development, integrating technical excellence with advanced fitness training to enhance overall performance. Recently, he earned a call-up to the Indian Women's U20 team as their Strength and Conditioning Coach, while continuing his role as the Head Coach of BFC’s U19 team 

LinkedIn

Dr Fr Biju K Chacko
Curator, SportEx