Odisha Governor felicitates Jindal Foundation’s Wushu champions for international glory

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 24, 2025

In a heartening recognition of grassroots sports excellence, Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati felicitated two rising Wushu stars — Prem Munda and Rajkumar Munda — at a special ceremony held on July 23 at Raj Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. Hailing from the tribal heartland of Barbil and trained under the Jindal Foundation’s Wushu Programme, the young athletes recently clinched gold medals at an international Wushu championship in Moscow, Russia, competing in the men’s 48 kg and 52 kg categories respectively.

The felicitation marks a proud moment not only for the athletes but also for the vision and sustained efforts of the Jindal Foundation in nurturing sports talent from rural and tribal communities. Both Prem and Rajkumar are residents of the Jindal Sports Hostel in Barbil, where they receive comprehensive support — including expert coaching, customised nutrition, healthcare, education, and sports infrastructure — essential for high-performance training and international exposure.

Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of the Jindal Foundation, expressed her gratitude to the Governor for honouring the young champions. “This is a proud and emotional moment for all of us. Prem and Rajkumar’s achievements are a powerful testament to what is possible when rural talent is empowered with the right support system. Their journey reflects our belief that the youth of India’s hinterlands possess immense potential waiting to be unlocked.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Prashanta Hota, President and Group Head, CSR & Education, Jindal Steel, said, “Under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Chairman and Member of Parliament Shri Naveen Jindal Ji, we are committed to transforming lives through sports. These gold medals from Moscow represent more than athletic success — they signify inclusion, opportunity, and empowerment. Mr. Jindal himself is a celebrated sportsperson and continues to inspire our mission of inclusive growth.”

Governor Dr. Kambhampati lauded the young Wushu players for their dedication and perseverance, and appreciated the Jindal Foundation’s consistent efforts in grooming young athletes. He emphasized the importance of investing in grassroots sports as a vehicle for national development, pride, and social transformation.

The Jindal Foundation has been at the forefront of promoting sports across rural and tribal regions of India. Its integrated approach supports over 30,000 young athletes in disciplines such as Wushu, athletics, football, and archery. The Foundation’s residential sports hostel in Barbil, Odisha, caters to sixty tribal children, many of whom have earned accolades in national and international tournaments.

Through such impactful initiatives, the Jindal Foundation is not just creating champions — it is shaping a generation of confident, disciplined, and resilient youth, ready to represent India on the global stage.