The Center will assemble knowledge, expertise and business opportunities from sports industry leaders to assist up-and-coming cities and countries in enhancing or developing their own sports ecosystems. With its headquarters in Indianapolis—one of the leading sports hubs in the U.S.—the Center has the advantage of access to industry leadership, decades of knowledge, and consulting expertise across the sports spectrum.

RWANDA SPORTS DELEGATION IN INDIANAPOLIS

A delegation of sports leaders from Rwanda traveled to Indianapolis during the week of October 12, 2015 to meet with local sports leadership and to learn from the city’s sports development model. The delegation consisted of Robert Bayigamba, President of the Rwanda National Olympic Committee and Desire Mugwiza, President of the Rwanda Basketball Federation. The group decided to take the exploratory trip after hearing about Indianapolis’ reputation as a national sports hub. Building on Rwanda’s existing plans for sports development, the delegation enhanced their sports vision, scouted opportunities, and established new relationships with the sports industry in Indianapolis. The focus of their trip was sports tourism and events, marketing, management, and basketball. The group met with sports industry leaders including the President of Pacers Sports and Entertainment; the Vice President of Communications for the Pacers; the Director of Division I Men’s Basketball at the NCAA; and the President of USA Gymnastics among others. Joby Wright flew up from Atlanta, Georgia to spend three days with the delegation as well. As part of the week’s agenda, the group was hosted at Sagamore Institute for an event featuring Joby Wright and Pacers’ Senior Vice President of Corporate, Community and Public Relations, Bill Benner.