Mumbai: Self-regulatory industry body for fantasy sports, the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) on Friday 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.  

The organisation said that he is a well-known figure in the sports & media entertainment industry of the country and can be rightly hailed as the ‘Godfather of Fantasy Sports in India.’ From designing India's first ever fantasy sports game - the Super Selector for ESPN Star Sports, to coming onboard FIFS – it is a perfect synergy, said FIFS.   

He also runs the Prime Volleyball League and is a cricket analyst with Cricbuzz. As Fifa U-17 World Cup 2017 project director he delivered the most attended and successful junior tournament in the history of FIFA.  

In his earlier roles he has held the position of Kolkata Knight Riders team director and History & National Geographic as head of programming - South Asia. He was also the first Indian head of production at ESPN Star Sports. He is an avid writer, having written for the likes of TOI, India Today, BBC, The Telegraph and the Hindustan Times, has a regular quiz column with the Hindu Business Line and also writes on sport for the Economic Times.  

FIFS chairman Bimal Julka said, “Happy to have Joy Bhattacharjya join FIFS as the director-general. FIFS will benefit from his sports expertise and knowledge of fantasy sports.”  

Bhattacharjya added, "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.”