Hope Ladder is a charity partner for Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2025

Join us in making a difference

Your support can help these young athletes achieve their dreams and build a better future through the power of sports.

About Us

Hope Ladder Sports Foundation is the brainchild of a close set of buddies looking to leverage their passion for sports to make a difference in society.

Hope Ladder, established in December 2021 as a Section 8 company, is a not-for-profit venture dedicated to transforming the lives of athletes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our mission is to foster excellence, resilience, and personal growth in track and field events through comprehensive development programs.

At Hope Ladder, we support athletes and sports academies chosen through a rigorous multi-step selection process, offering assistance in key areas to help them excel in their sport and achieve their full potential.

Support offered

Sports Science

Collaborating with dieticians, physiotherapists, doctors, and psychologists to enhance training.

Equipment / Kits

Providing equipment and infrastructure to academies and supporting athletes with sports kits.

Boarding, Lodging & Logistics Support

Offering boarding, lodging, and logistics support for athletes, including accommodation and travel for events and special training.

Nutrition Support

Support with dietary requirements and supplements.

Employment/ Opportunities

Assisting with job placements and future opportunities.

Education

Supporting athletes with education, including language and soft skills training.

Management Team

Elango, a seasoned entrepreneur with 38 years of experience, currently leads a business focused on Environment & Sustainability. As an avid runner and cyclist, he is dedicated to driving societal transformation through the power of sports

Elango Kamalasekaran

Entrepreneur, Runner & Cyclist

Dr. Erika, a gynaecologist and fertility specialist, has been an athlete since her student years. A passionate long-distance runner, she made history as the first woman from Tamil Nadu to complete the Comrades Marathon. Erika also actively contributes to Sports Science, focusing on enhancing athletic performance.

Dr. Erika Patel

Fertility Specialist & avid Ultramarathon Runner

Nagesh, a Global Delivery Leader with over 30 years of IT experience, is deeply passionate about long-distance running. He seeks to leverage the transformative power of sports to uplift and empower individuals from economically disadvantaged communities, creating lasting impact.

Nagesh Doraiswamy

Senior global IT leader and passionate marathon runner

Thambiah Elango, co-founder of The Ganga Foundation, which supports spinal cord injury victims, has held senior roles at Bharti Airtel and TATA for over 30 years. A dedicated triathlete and sports enthusiast, he's also the bestselling author of This Too Shall Pass

Elango Thambiah

Senior corporate leader and avid marathoner and triathlete

Sports Advisory Team

As Chief Sporting Director at Hope Ladder, Sangeetha leverages her extensive management experience from being a 2004 SAF Games high jump gold medallist and founder of FitZen. She applies strategic insights to support and guide athletes from economically weaker sections, enhancing their overall performance and development.

Sangeetha Mohan

Chief Sporting Director

International athlete & founder of FitZen Sports & Wellness.

Sureka, an international pole vaulter who represented India in events like the 2004 Asian Games, coaches and mentors top athletes. As a Sports Advisor to Hope Ladder, she guides young athletes, helping them achieve their full potential.

Sureka V S

Sports Advisor

International athlete & certified NIS coach

Sujan, a sports entrepreneur and former national-level tennis player, combines his expertise in technical sports analysis to enhance athlete performance. At Hope Ladder, he leverages this knowledge to create pathways for success, guiding young athletes in their development and growth.

Sujan Karthik

Sports Advisor

National-level tennis player and sports entrepreneur

Hemanth, a former state and national-level decathlete, is a Product Manager at a top MNC in the US. As Sports Advisor to Hope Ladder, he leverages world-class US infrastructure to lead initiatives like 'Pole in the Hands,' helping young athletes unlock new opportunities.

Hemanth Ranganathan

Sports Advisor

National athlete and global technical leader at a leading MNC.

Yuva’s athletic and coaching expertise gives him the ability to scout and recognize emerging talent while providing customized guidance. His background in performance management allows him to effectively oversee athlete development programs and ensure consistent progress at Hope Ladder.

Yuva Manikandan

Sports Co-ordinator

Athletics coach, Strengthen & Conditioning coach

Management Team

Elango Kamalasekaran

Entrepreneur, Runner & Cyclist

Elango, a seasoned entrepreneur with 38 years of experience, currently leads a business focused on Environment & Sustainability. As an avid runner and cyclist, he is dedicated to driving societal transformation through the power of sports

Dr. Erika Patel

Fertility Specialist & avid Ultramarathon Runner

Dr. Erika, a gynaecologist and fertility specialist, has been an athlete since her student years. A passionate long-distance runner, she made history as the first woman from Tamil Nadu to complete the Comrades Marathon. Erika also actively contributes to Sports Science, focusing on enhancing athletic performance.

Nagesh Doraiswamy

Senior global IT leader and passionate marathon runner

Nagesh, a Global Delivery Leader with over 30 years of IT experience, is deeply passionate about long-distance running. He seeks to leverage the transformative power of sports to uplift and empower individuals from economically disadvantaged communities, creating lasting impact.

Elango Thambiah

Senior corporate leader and avid marathoner and triathlete

Thambiah Elango, co-founder of The Ganga Foundation, which supports spinal cord injury victims, has held senior roles at Bharti Airtel and TATA for over 30 years. A dedicated triathlete and sports enthusiast, he's also the bestselling author of This Too Shall Pass

Sports Advisory Team

Sangeetha Mohan
Chief Sporting Director

International athlete & founder of FitZen Sports & Wellness.

As Chief Sporting Director at Hope Ladder, Sangeetha leverages her extensive management experience from being a 2004 SAF Games high jump gold medallist and founder of FitZen. She applies strategic insights to support and guide athletes from economically weaker sections, enhancing their overall performance and development.

Sureka V S
Sports Advisor

International athlete & certified NIS coach

Sureka, an international pole vaulter who represented India in events like the 2004 Asian Games, coaches and mentors top athletes. As a Sports Advisor to Hope Ladder, she guides young athletes, helping them achieve their full potential.

Sujan Karthik
Sports Advisor

National-level tennis player and sports entrepreneur

Sujan, a sports entrepreneur and former national-level tennis player, combines his expertise in technical sports analysis to enhance athlete performance. At Hope Ladder, he leverages this knowledge to create pathways for success, guiding young athletes in their development and growth.

Hemanth Ranganathan
Sports Advisor

National athlete and global technical leader at a leading MNC.

Hemanth, a former state and national-level decathlete, is a Product Manager at a top MNC in the US. As Sports Advisor to Hope Ladder, he leverages world-class US infrastructure to lead initiatives like 'Pole in the Hands,' helping young athletes unlock new opportunities.

Yuva Manikandan
Sports Co-ordinator

Athletics coach, Strengthen & Conditioning coach

Yuva’s athletic and coaching expertise gives him the ability to scout and recognize emerging talent while providing customized guidance. His background in performance management allows him to effectively oversee athlete development programs and ensure consistent progress at Hope Ladder.

Success Story

Gnana Sone, a pole vaulter who cleared 4.9 meters at the Federation Cup, recently secured employment at Integral Coach Factory, Indian Railways, Chennai. His achievement is a testament to the support provided by Hope Ladder, reflecting its impact in supporting athletes' careers and futures

Success Story

Gnana Sone, a pole vaulter who cleared 4.9 meters at the Federation Cup, recently secured employment at Integral Coach Factory, Indian Railways, Chennai. His achievement is a testament to the support provided by Hope Ladder, reflecting its impact in supporting athletes' careers and futures

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Athletes
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Academies
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Poles

Join us in making a difference

your support can help these young athletes achieve their dreams and build a better future through the power of sports.

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