What do we want to achieve with the Tata Steel Trailblazers Conclave season 3? What’s the purpose and end goal? How can it contribute to the Indian sports eco-system? What does Indian sport need to do at the moment with an eye on 2036?
We have been debating each of these questions for the last month or so. How do we express the philosophy of the conclave in three or four words? While we are conscious of what we want or aspire to achieve, it needs to be out there for everyone to see.
What’s next for Indian sports? Have we started work on the Olympic bid? Have we started to train for the 2028 LA Olympics? What’s the plan for the forthcoming 2026 Asian Games? How is the Indian cricket team going to recalibrate for the five-Test series against England? With change the only constant, how do we adapt and deal with adversity?
That’s when my friend, Muralikrishnan L, co-founder of Wow Momo, came up with three magical words – “Next is Now”. This tagline encapsulates it all, expresses everything we want to say or achieve. Everything that Indian sport needs to do to move to the next step. Words that define our philosophy and end goal.
In his words, “India stands at the cusp of a sporting revolution—a time when the dreams of a billion hearts are converging toward a singular goal: to place our nation on the global sporting map. ‘Next is Now’ isn’t just a tagline; it’s a clarion call to action. Next is Now embodies the essence of India’s forward thrust in sports—a vision that transcends today’s aspirations and transforms them into tomorrow’s achievements. It is a rallying cry to dream big, act bold, and lay the foundations for a future where India doesn’t just participate but dominates on the world stage.”
To make India a key player in the global sports ecosystem—a nation where:
- The Olympic dream becomes a reality, with India a strong contender to host and conquer the world’s grandest sporting event.
- Athletes thrive with world-class infrastructure, mentorship, and an unwavering support system that nurtures talent from every corner of the country.
- Innovation leads the way, creating futuristic platforms powered by technology and backed by a sustainable, inclusive ecosystem.
- Communities unite, fostering a sporting culture that ignites passion, fuels dreams, and inspires every Indian to reach their full potential.
It is no longer about participation. We aren’t satisfied with making up the numbers or coming fourth. We don’t celebrate fourth-place finishes anymore. The desire is to win. The craving is to be the best. Overcome adversity and stand on top of the podium. Be the best version of what we can be and, in doing so, encourage the next generation to step up. Alphabetical and mathematical literacy is where India leads. Physical literacy is the next dream that we are living.
As Murali rightly said, “Now is an ordinary word for ordinary people, for crazy ones ‘Now’ is a chance to create history. They don’t wait. They don’t think of the future. For they make their own. For them, Next is now! It’s a promise. A revolution. A journey to transform India into a sporting superpower.”
Announcing the tagline of Tata Steel Trailblazers 3.0 – “Next is Now”.