ISSO Prepares for Record-Breaking Season with Over 28,000 Student-Athletes
ISSO's Ambitious Plans for 2026-27
The International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO), led by Namrata Adani, is gearing up for its most significant season yet, anticipating participation from over 630 schools and more than 28,000 student-athletes in the 2026-27 academic year, as stated in a recent press release.
A Holistic Educational Approach
Namrata Adani, who serves as an Advisory Board Member of ISSO and is the Founding Director of Adani International School in Ahmedabad, champions a comprehensive educational philosophy. This approach merges the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge curricula, offering students global learning experiences. ISSO aims to enhance India's school sports framework through organized competitions, advanced training, coaching education, career guidance, and international partnerships.
Growth in Participation
In just two years, ISSO has expanded from 440 schools in the 2024-25 season to 510 in 2025-26, and now to over 630 schools. Student participation has surged from 21,100 to nearly 24,900, with expectations to surpass 28,000 this season, showcasing the increasing trust from schools, parents, and educators in the organization.
Namrata Adani's Vision
Namrata Adani expressed her thoughts on ISSO's growth, stating, "Every child should have the chance to experience the transformative nature of sports. At ISSO, we are fostering an environment where young athletes are not only encouraged to compete but also to lead, learn, and develop. The impressive growth of ISSO signifies the confidence that schools, educators, and parents have in our vision. As we broaden our reach, we remain dedicated to nurturing talent, empowering coaches, creating new opportunities, and ensuring every student has the platform to achieve their full potential."
Creating a Robust Sports Ecosystem
ISSO is not just focused on competitions; it is also establishing a comprehensive sports ecosystem. The ISSO IGNITE program offers residential high-performance training camps led by accredited coaches, while the ISSO Academy enhances India's coaching landscape through internationally recognized education and certification programs in collaboration with the International School Sport Federation (ISF) Academy, FIBA, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and Kukkiwon. Additionally, ISSO has introduced SCORE (Sports Career Opportunities Reimagined), which connects students with universities, industry leaders, and sports professionals to explore academic and career options in sports. The organization has also partnered with the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) to create structured pathways for aspiring young golfers.
Upcoming National Championships
The excitement continues as ISSO plans to host national championships in various sports, including Football, Tennis, Chess, Swimming, Judo, Taekwondo, Karate, and Badminton, throughout September 2026, along with several major events scheduled for the remainder of the season.
A Strong Future for School Sports
Under Namrata Adani's guidance, ISSO is laying a solid foundation for the future of school sports in India. By merging high-quality competition with world-class coaching, career awareness, and global partnerships, the organization is shaping the next generation of athletes, coaches, and sports professionals.