"Sit Tight, We're going to Rock your World." - says Keegan Marinos Moras, co-founder, Sportsphere

Is this a new world or is this really happening in India? Extreme adventure sports are coming to the doors of those who believe that they are tailor made for such an expedition with a willingness to test their character in a journey filled with joie de vivre.

Sportsphere is a brilliant initiative conjured up by Keegan Marinos Moras, co-founder, and Flavian D’Souza, Mentor. Their aim is to bring in all possible unorthodox sporting ideas under one roof.

The plan is to launch Sportsphere by mid-May, 2014. Sportskeeda caught up with one of the co-founders and mastermind behind this company, Keegan Marinos Moras.

What will Sportsphere be focusing on?

Our primary focus is to shift India’s attention from Mainstream to Up-Market Sport. So you’re going to come across tons of unconventional outdoor activity such as Sailing, Wake Boarding, Surfing and the like. We have scouts all across the country uncovering local sport that will definitely get your attention.

How did you come up with the idea?

Flavian D’Souza, Mentor Sportsphere

To be honest – we’ve just come a full circle. My life, thankfully, has always been entwined with my two biggest passions – Sports & Travel. As time went by, I slowly ventured into all possible fields such as Finance, Events, Sales, Hospitality, Renewable Energy, the list goes on – and I eventually returned to pursue what really makes me happy.Thankfully with the support of our mentor Flavian D’ Souza, we could see this through and in the process, we have identified certain gaps in the adventure Sport Industry that we at Sportsphere believe needs attention. This is where we make that difference.What is the scope of operations at Sportsphere?

To start off with – We are a Marketing Platform for Adventure Sport Companies, for those wishing to advertise with us. Soon enough, we will have exclusive Sportsphere events across the length & breadth of the country. This will be followed by the introduction of our ecommerce store – through which folks will have access to fabulous merchandise.

We recently politely refused an offer by a big multi-national corporation to organize an event for 100 of their employees. Our events will be extremely niche catering to much smaller groups keen on truly experiencing a sporting journey.

What is the vision behind this mind-boggling concept?

Is to enable India have exposure to Up-market Sporting Activity. There is so much going on in our very own Country that not too many of us are aware of. That ought to be changed, don’t you think. Commercialization will never be a part of our plan.

Our intention is to get the word out to the right people – those eagerly looking forward to such activity but are oblivious of these events actually taking place and thus miss their chance.

Have you come across people who have undertaken similar ventures?

Keegan Marinos Moras, Co-Founder Sportsphere

Absolutely. You’ll be surprised at the number of folks around who have given up their 9-5′s to quite literally follow their dreams. Their stories, that Sportsphere will soon make available, are so fascinating that you should think twice before reading them – you might just follow suit.

Are you planning to take your initiative abroad as well?

Slowly but surely – we will venture out to our neighbouring countries to begin with, though our main focus is and always will be on the Indian sub continent.

What sports do you play, and what else do you follow?

Well I play tons of cricket (used to rather) and watch that much football. I picked up a cricket bat back in 1991 when we moved to India from Bahrain and ever since I’ve been a Natural – I do mean to boast! I’ve taken part in quite a few zonal tournaments and cricket to me is a sport I will always adore.

How did it all begin and do you still play cricket actively?

I was in class 5 and it was in the summer of 1991. Like I said, I had just come to India from the middle-east and the influence of cricket here in India caught my eye. A neighbour offered me a chance to bat and there was no looking back for a good few years. Happy days!

I last played active club cricket in Glasgow back in 2011.

Who’s your favourite sportsperson and why?

Sachin Tendulkar undoubtedly. At 16, the master was as tall as his bat and still stared straight back into the eyes of the Wasim Akrams, Waqar Younis’ and not to mention the dreaded West Indian pacers. He, for me, single handedly changed the face of Indian cricket during his years at the helm.

I was his biggest fan growing up – was more or less the same height back then, and emulated most of what he did on the field. He will always be an idol to me.

How big has the impact of sports been in your life?

Massive. I learnt how to stay humble in victory and united with our squad in defeat, to place trust in my team mates , to make big calls during crucial times and to step up and be a Leader when called upon. These vital lessons will stay with me every step of the way.

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What has your favourite sport taught you?

Most importantly: To hold your nerves & be calm when the going gets tough. Your actions reflect your character. Sport doesn’t just build character, it also reveals who you are. Each to their own of course.

What is your most memorable sporting moment?

Was probably back in 1999 , perhaps the most intriguing match of my life. It was a cricket match between St. Joseph’s Boys High School, that I had the privilege to play for, against Bishop Cottons Boys School. Simply put – it was and still is, an exact representation of an India- Pakistan rivalry.

Needing 4 runs off 2 balls, we had 3 wickets in hand, I was in my twenties when I got an over-pitched delivery which I drove for the winning boundary. Students of both schools were present, the players of course, our families, ex- students, teachers, etc witnessed how the place erupted and that memory will always linger on.

And what about a moment from the professional sporting world that will forever linger in your memory?

Marat Safin defeating Roger Federer 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, 9-7 in an emphatic Australian Open semi-final in 2005.

And who can forget the face-off between Aamir Sohail and Venkatesh Prasad in the quarter-final of the 1996 cricket World Cup. It was India v Pakistan in Bangalore when Sohail started to hammer the Indian bowlers. Prasad was given the same treatment and was smashed by him for a boundary. Sohail went on to show him the bat, gesturing to Prasad to go fetch the ball. What Sohail started, Prasad ended, by taking his wicket. What a moment!

http://youtu.be/NAxy6O6uNyI

What do you think needs to be done in order growing this niche sporting culture in India?

By making sure access to these unconventional sports is given to those at the grass root level. Exposure at an early stage is key in this regard.

How do you see adventure sports as a theme developing in the near future in India?

Bright no doubt. We still need more role models/ trainers in their respective sport to come out & play an active role in taking things to the next level. The country’s niche sporting segment is gradually growing year on year – signifying our willingness to experiment and give other sporting activity a real go – A Sign of things to come.

Is there a message that you’d like to share with our readers?

Sit Tight, We’re going to Rock your World.

Here’s a video that explains in detail about Sportsphere and their vision – Watch and discover:

http://youtu.be/GvuoGXCDEsI