The Business Bytes
RAYAGADA, APRIL 13, 2024 (TBB BUREAU): Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading aluminium producer, demonstrated its commitment to nurturing sporting talent in rural Odisha by supporting the latest edition of the Kashipur Premier League (KPL), a cricket tournament organised annually by local community members in Kashipur.
The tournament, which commenced on March 3, 2024, witnessed enthusiastic participation from 175 cricket players representing 25 gram panchayats in Rayagada district. The culmination of the league drew over 2,000 spectators from across the region, witnessing a thrilling showdown between the Khantikashipuriya and Smart 11 teams, with Khantikashipuriya clinching the title of league champion.
Dr. Netrananda Nayak, Kashipur Community Health Centre Officer, felicitated the winners in the presence of village committee members and government officials.
Vedanta Aluminium’s Mines team played a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution of the event, offering vital logistical and organizational support. This initiative is part of the company’s broader commitment to fostering grassroots sports and youth development in rural Odisha.
Commenting on the initiative, Vedanta Aluminium CEO (Mines) V Srikanth emphasized the transformative power of sports in shaping the lives of youth. “We believe that sports not only shapes the future pathways of our youth but also profoundly impact their lives for the better in the long term. Odisha is known for producing some of India’s finest sportspersons and by regularly supporting grassroots leagues and tournaments, we are dedicated to empowering youth. We are achieving this aim by providing them platforms to showcase their sportsmanship, adding to the rich legacy of the state’s sporting excellence,” he said.
Dr. Netrananda Nayak, Head of the Community Health Centre in Kashipur, expressed gratitude to Vedanta Aluminium for providing a platform for youth from remote areas to showcase their talents and engage in friendly yet competitive sporting events.
Ghanashyam Nayak, a young participant in KPL, conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to Vedanta Aluminium for supporting the league, citing it as a platform to pursue his passion for cricket and find purpose.
Vedanta Aluminium’s Mines Business is committed to driving community development through strategic interventions in education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture. Previous initiatives include support for events such as the ‘Suravi’ Children’s Festival and the Rashtriya Bal Vaigyanik Pradarshani (National Young Scientist Exhibition) organized by the National Council Of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) in Sundargarh. These efforts underscore the company’s dedication to fostering socio-economic growth and empowerment in rural Odisha.
