There is a common belief that sports equipment are just ‘tools’ for athletes to perform better. It’s a means to an end that compliments an individual’s talent and enhances the final result after all the blood, sweat and tears which are a part of every athlete’s journey. While some of it may be true, the reality that is not covered in sports news is that most elite athletes consider the equipment they use as an extension of themselves. Sports is an industry that is notorious for its fine margins and choosing the right gear can make all the difference in victories and defeats.
In an exclusive interview with SPOGO, Mr. Akshay Singh, Founder and CEO of SportSanta speaks about what inspired him to come up with this initiative, adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, improving player performance and endurance and his future goals!
Q 1) As founder and CEO of SportSanta, what inspired you to come up with this initiative? What is the objective and vision of SportSanta?
When I was a kid, we were not very well off and were unable to afford much of the sports equipment and I was very much interested in sports at that time. I come from a very small town in Uttarakhand. That's the main reason I was more inclined towards sports. Our vision at SportsSanta is to provide good quality sports goods all over the world at a very low price.
Q 2) During the ongoing pandemic, the sporting industry has come to a standstill. How did it impact SportSanta and how did you have to rethink strategies to deal with the situation?
During the pandemic, our focus shifted towards the health and fitness industry. As more people were conscious of their wellbeing, the sales for gym equipment, supplements, cycles went well and that’s how we adapted our strategy based on the circumstances.
Q 3) What makes SportSanta different as compared to other retail e-commerce websites?
We are a dedicated sports e-commerce site and don't deal with other categories. Besides, we are also running an NGO called SportsSanta where we help and sponsor poor athletes who can't afford sporting equipment by providing to them from our side, free of cost.
Q 4) How does the sporting equipment available at SportSanta improve performance and endurance?
We are situated in Meerut, the sports city of India. Most major brands come either from Punjab or from here. We deal directly with the companies so we get very good prices and margins, so we are able to offer good rates to performers and athletes.
Q 5) What are your goals for SportSanta in the future? How would you like to achieve it?
We are planning on expanding by following the concept of Decathlon and very soon we will be opening our own franchises all over India.
