The Department of Sports Management at the School of Business, iLEAD, organised a Boot Camp on Crisis Management on 15 June 2026. The event brought together many students for a full afternoon of learning and hands-on activities. It was conducted in offline mode, making the experience far more personal, direct, and engaging for everyone who attended.

The session was led by Mr Joy Das, a net bowler who has represented both Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. He has played 1st Division professional cricket for 15 years and has spent the last 10 years coaching young players at various levels. His background in sports made him the ideal person to speak about handling pressure and making sound decisions under stress.

The programme was convened by Mr. Sourav Banerjee, Assistant Professor of Sports Management at the School of Business, iLEAD. The event combined expert talks, interactive group discussions, and practical cricket-based outdoor simulations. Students left the session with sharper thinking, stronger teamwork habits, and a much clearer understanding of how crisis management works in real life.

What the Day Looked Like

The Boot Camp was structured carefully to keep students active, involved, and thinking throughout the entire session. Each activity was thoughtfully designed to connect real sports experience with professional and academic life in a meaningful way.

Expert Talk by Mr Joy Das

Mr Joy Das opened the session with an engaging and interactive lecture on crisis management in sports and professional environments. He drew from 15 years of professional cricket to share real situations where composure and clarity made all the difference. Students listened closely as he explained how quick, informed decisions and calm thinking can completely change outcomes under high pressure.

Open Discussion with Students

After the expert talk, students participated in a lively and open discussion on real-world crisis situations across different settings. They asked Mr Das thoughtful questions and shared their own perspectives on managing unexpected challenges. This honest back-and-forth exchange made the learning feel natural, practical, and far from textbook.

Leadership and Decision-Making Exercises

The session included focused activities where students had to carefully analyse tough situations and respond quickly with purpose. Each exercise was built around making sound decisions when time is short and the stakes are high. Students practiced staying calm and thinking with clarity even when the scenario around them felt completely overwhelming.

Cricket-Based Outdoor Simulation

One of the most memorable parts of the day was the outdoor cricket-based simulation activity. Students were placed in match-like pressure situations that demand instant thinking, adaptability, and strong teamwork. The cricket field became a live and dynamic classroom where strategy, communication, and quick decision-making were all tested together in real time.

Teamwork and Communication Building

Group exercises highlighted how teams must function effectively when situations do not go as planned. Students practised coordinating with each other, listening carefully, and stepping up to lead from within the group when needed. The activities powerfully demonstrated how clear and open communication can hold an entire team together during a crisis.

Problem-Solving and Resilience Training

The final set of activities placed students inside challenging crisis-based scenarios that required focused strategic thinking. Each task was designed to push participants slightly beyond their comfort zone and prepared in their ability to face and handle the unexpected.

The overall feedback from participants was positive and encouraging. Students appreciated how Mr Das connected his personal sports stories with broader and relatable management lessons. The combination of classroom discussion and outdoor activity helped the learning stay with them long after the session ended. The boot camp proved that crisis management is not just a concept to be studied from a book but a skill that can be practised, steadily improved, and confidently carried into every area of professional and personal life.