Siddhartha Upadhyay Founder | General Secretary
STAIRS: Member Governing Council
Sports Authority of India Co-Chair – Sports
FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Siddhartha Upadhyay is a social entrepreneur committed to bring about a dynamic socio-culturaleconomic change at the grassroots by direct action. A recipient of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar from President of India in 2016, Upadhyay is an icon amongst the budding sportspersons across the country. He has been instrumental in creating multiple opportunities for the youth to exercise their ‘right to play’ and specialised in youth outreach programmes by way of sports. He plays an active role in the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports as Member – Governing Council. He also was part of Steering Committee for FIFA U-17 World Cup, BRICS U-17 Tournament, Mission XI Million Programme, Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society, formed under the aegis of India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Upadhyay is a revered figure in the development sector for providing hope, opportunities to the country’s youth, especially those at the bottom of the social pyramid, and helping them secure a life of dignity. Upadhyay’s effort to successfully run STAIRS School Football League (SSFL)—the world’s largest talent scouting and training programme engaging over 100,000 footballers in India—has been globally recognised and appreciated. In addition, SSFL has been instrumental in creating economic opportunities for thousands of sports professionals and encouraged ancillary businesses. Upadhyay wears many hats. He is also a serial entrepreneur and has invested in several businesses across verticals that includes marketing and branding communication, real estate, ecommerce and sports. He’s entrepreneurially engaged with some of the India’s biggest business conglomerates, public sector undertakings and government as well. He is a member of India’s top industry bodies, including Confederation of India Industries (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), is Known for his clarity and understanding of socio-economic-political issues. Upadhyay regularly speaks at various business forums, also at national and international events, elucidates on the importance of social responsibility, sustainable development issues and potential in every individual to be an agent of change. siddhartha@upadhyay.co | www.upadhyay.co
Sanjeev Singh is a Tech Entrepreneur cum Social Worker with around 3 decades of rich experience in various verticals. Sanjeev has been actively involved in strengthening technology adoption in Agriculture, Education and Government Verticals among others. Sanjeev was the advisor and a key architect of the Farmers Relationship Management System for the Sugar Cane Sector of UP Govt. This innovative solution won multiple awards including, National e-Governance Gold, Commonwealth Innovation Award and President’s Excellence Award. Sanjeev spearheaded the Information Technology Cell of Bharatiya Janata Party, Uttar Pradesh between 2009-2012 and the National IT Cell for the next couple of years including the vastly successful 2014 electoral campaign for the BJP. Sanjeev is an ardent Nationalist and also served as a spokesperson for BJP Uttar Pradesh, during the successful campaign for 2017 elections. Sanjeev has a deep interest and is actively involved with Government policy formulations and interventions. He has handled bilateral relationship between UP and Gimhae-Busan provinces of South Korea. His efforts resulted in Uttar Pradesh entering into multiple MOUs with Gimhae-Busan of ROK for Agriculture, Tourism, Culture and Skill Development. Sanjeev has been an active sportsperson, and a state level Table Tennis player for Gujarat State. Sanjeev’s unique experience as an IT professional and sportsman positions him favourably to spearhead esports initiatives in the country.