The Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), India’s self-regulatory industry body for fantasy sports, today, announced the appointment of Joy Bhattacharjya as its Director-General.
In this role, Bhattacharjya will oversee the functioning of the body and work with policymakers and industry stakeholders alike. Joy is a well-known figure in India’s sports & media entertainment industry.
Delighted to be able to contribute to an industry that I deeply believe in, and have been associated with for over two decades. @FIFS_Official https://t.co/cfMcxeMiaX
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) July 15, 2022
Joy is known for designing India’s first ever fantasy sports game – the ‘Super Selector’ for ESPN Star Sports, to coming onboard FIFS – it is a perfect synergy. Joy also runs the Prime Volleyball League and is a Cricket Analyst with Cricbuzz. As the Project Director for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, 2017 he delivered the most attended and successful junior tournament in the history of FIFA.
Earlier in April, we reported about a supposed rift between the members of Dream11 founded think tank. Unicorn MPL, fantasy operator MyTeam11 quit FIFS in recent times. StarPick, 11Wickets and Balle Baazi among other fantasy sports operators have also quit FIFS in recent years over disagreements with the industry body’s policies and charter.
Coming to the profile of Joy, he is an avid writer, having written for the likes of TOI, India Today, BBC, The Telegraph & the Hindustan Times, has a regular quiz column with the Hindu Business Line and also writes on sport for the Economic Times. He will have an uphill task to gain the trust of the industry and bring onboard the operators who left the self-regulatory body.
Commenting on the appointment, Bimal Julka, Chairman of FIFS, said, “Happy to have Mr. Joy Bhattacharjya join FIFS as the Director-General. FIFS will benefit from his sports expertise and knowledge of fantasy sports.”
Talking about his appointment, Joy Bhattacharjya said, “I am elated to be a part of the next stage of development of Fantasy Sports in the country. It’s a homecoming for me in a way, from launching the Super Selector in 2000, to now leading FIFS – India’s only SRO for Fantasy Sports. I look forward to working with the FIFS members and the stakeholders at large and help FIFS identify the landscape and potential for India to be the global leader in the Fantasy Sports sector.”