GET KIDS TO PLAY – powered by SportzVillage
GET KIDS TO PLAY - powered by SportzVillage
Podcast Description
In an era where screens dominate and children’s outdoor adventures are dwindling, “Get Kids to Play” seeks to reignite the joy of unstructured play that once defined childhood. Reflecting on a time when scraped knees and muddy clothes were badges of honor, hosts Vijay and Saumil delve into the pressing challenges modern parents face in balancing academics, technology, and free play. Building upon their acclaimed book, “Get Kids to Play!”, this podcast offers insightful discussions, expert interviews, and practical solutions to help families rediscover the magic of outdoor play. Join us each week as we champion a movement to reconnect children with sport, foster creativity and play, and promote holistic development for a brighter, healthier future.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as promoting unstructured play, the impact of technology on childhood, and the importance of holistic development. Episodes frequently address challenges faced by modern parents, such as balancing academics with playtime, with specific examples including discussions on safe play spaces and encouraging girls in sports.
In an era where screens dominate and children’s outdoor adventures are dwindling, “Get Kids to Play” seeks to reignite the joy of unstructured play that once defined childhood. Reflecting on a time when scraped knees and muddy clothes were badges of honor, hosts Vijay and Saumil delve into the pressing challenges modern parents face in balancing academics, technology, and free play. Building upon their acclaimed book, “Get Kids to Play!”, this podcast offers insightful discussions, expert interviews, and practical solutions to help families rediscover the magic of outdoor play. Join us each week as we champion a movement to reconnect children with sport, foster creativity and play, and promote holistic development for a brighter, healthier future.
What does it really take for a brand to belong to a sport — not just sponsor it? And what happens when a global tech giant quietly decides that the future of Indian sport is worth betting on?
Join Vijay and Saumil on the Get Kids to Play podcast as Infosys CMO Sumit Virmani unpacks how Infosys built one of sport's most purposeful brand stories, why grassroots can't survive on glamour alone, and what it genuinely takes to nurture a champion in a country still learning to invest in its athletes.
0:00 – Introduction
1:39 – Why sport and brands belong together: culture, passion and the natural playbook
3:24 – Why tennis? The four reasons Infosys doubled down on one global sport
5:41 – Technology meets tennis: walking into an ATP Final with only serve speed and scores
10:05 – The grassroots gap: why brands chase elite eyeballs and what it costs the base
13:41 – The 360 model: investing in academies, coaches and players together
16:01 – Rafa, Iga, Carlos: why celebrity ambassadors must be intentional, not opportunistic
22:39 – Maya and the Rafa Academy: a quiet bet on a young Indian tennis star
25:28 – Girls for Gold to Gear for Gold: how one focused program became six Olympic disciplines
27:22 – Sport vs academics: the sharper pyramid problem and what a good model looks like
30:03 – Closing thoughts: why any brand invested in sport must take the long view
About Sumit Virmani
https://www.infosys.com/about/management-profiles/sumit-virmani.html
About Get Kids to Play
https://sportzvillage.com/get-kids-to-play/
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.