The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, October 01, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Jindal Steel & Power (JSP) has been honoured with the CSR Journal Excellence Award 2024 for its significant contributions to sports promotion in India. The award was presented at the 7th edition of the ceremony in Mumbai on Monday.
This recognition highlights JSP’s extensive efforts through its social arm, Jindal Foundation, to nurture sports talent and enhance grassroots sports infrastructure.
Jindal Foundation Chairperson, Shallu Jindal, expressed her gratitude: “We’re honored to receive this for the second consecutive time. This award reaffirms our commitment to nurturing sports talent and using sports as a tool for empowerment. My heartfelt thanks to our dedicated team and partners for making this possible. Together, we will continue driving positive change.”
The event featured Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, as the Chief Guest. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of corporate support for rural communities through CSR initiatives. Other notable attendees included P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association; Aditi Tatkare, Maharashtra’s Minister for Women & Child Development; and Amit Upadhyay, Editor-in-Chief of The CSR Journal.
JSP’s General Manager (CSR), Vargil Lakra, accepted the award on behalf of the Jindal Foundation.
The Jindal Foundation remains committed to empowering communities through its CSR initiatives, aligning with the Government of India’s Khelo India initiative. JSP nurtures young athletes in various sports, including Wushu, Kabaddi, archery, football, and cricket, providing improved infrastructure, nutrition, training, and opportunities for national and international participation. The company has supported 30,000 young athletes across India, focusing on Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, including 5,000 aspiring hockey players from Sundargarh district. Additionally, JSP operates a Cricket Academy in Raigarh District.
Through the Jindal Foundation, JSP has constructed 20 playgrounds, two sports complexes, and a hostel dedicated to underprivileged athletes. The Sports Hostel in Barbil offers tribal and disadvantaged athletes free accommodation, nutrition, education, and intensive coaching. Several athletes supported by JSP have excelled, winning medals at national and international events.
