From playing local football to managing regional operations for Germany’s top league, Kannur-native Malavika Hemant is proving that world-class sports management careers are within reach for Malayali women.
Kochi: When former German football star Marcel Schmelzer and former Borussia Dortmund captain Mustafa Amini attended a recent event in Kochi, their names stood alongside that of a young Malayali woman -Malavika Hemant.
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There was a singular reason for the German Bundesliga—one of the world’s elite football leagues—to feature Malavika alongside such global football icons during its development event – her impressive professional stature. Malavika serves as the Associate Manager of Marketing and Operations for the Asia-Pacific region at Bundesliga International.
“Dream professional opportunities are awaiting you in football,” Malavika advises young Malayali women aspiring to build careers in the sport.
Daughter of Kannur natives Hemant Narayanan and Rashmi, Malavika reached the pinnacle of global sports management through sheer passion and hard work. Born in Singapore during her father’s employment there, she spent her school years in Indonesia, where she initially took to the pitch playing football alongside boys. After completing her studies, she secured a job in Singapore and played for the Ariel FC women’s team. However, an unexpected injury forced her to step back from active play.
Her career path took a defining turn when she moved to Germany to pursue an MBA at the renowned Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. While actively volunteering at various sports events during her studies, she crossed paths with a Bundesliga representative at an embassy event. That encounter opened doors to an internship at Bundesliga, which she eventually leveraged into a full-time role.
Demonstrating exceptional skill in marketing strategy and broadcast coordination, Malavika rapidly ascended to her current role as Associate Manager of Marketing and Operations (APAC) at Bundesliga International. Today, her primary focus involves leading marketing initiatives aimed at deepening Bundesliga’s engagement with football enthusiasts across India.
Under her leadership, several innovative campaigns have taken root, including the recent live screening of a Bundesliga match inside a movie theatre in Kochi. Alongside these fan-engagement drives, Malavika is actively working on development programmes with a vision to see Indian footballers, including talent from Kerala, grace the Bundesliga pitches in the near future.
Published: 05 Nov 2026, 03:38 pm IST
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