Odisha CM felicitates Jindal Sports Hostel’s Sweta Rani for Asian Wushu bronze

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 4, 2025

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday felicitated Sweta Rani Mahanta, a promising athlete from the Jindal Sports Hostel, for her winning a bronze medal in the 48 kg category at the 12th Asian Junior Wushu Championship held in China. The honour was conferred during the closing ceremony of the 64th Senior Men’s Inter-District Football Championship Final for the Sahani Cup, held at Keonjhar Stadium.

Expressing his pride, Chief Minister Majhi applauded Sweta’s remarkable achievement, stating that her success brings honour to Keonjhar — a region predominantly inhabited by tribal communities. He hailed her accomplishment as a symbol of inspiration for aspiring athletes from rural and tribal backgrounds.

An elated Sweta Rani expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Jindal Foundation and its Chairperson, Smt. Shallu Jindal, for their unwavering support. She credited her training and development to the facilities and nurturing environment provided by the Jindal Sports Hostel.

Celebrating the milestone, Shallu Jindal said, “We are immensely proud of Sweta’s bronze medal win at the Asian Junior Wushu Championship. Her success reflects not only her dedication but also the impact of structured support for tribal and rural talent. At the Jindal Foundation, we remain committed to nurturing young athletes through holistic support in training, education, and exposure.”

Under her leadership, the Jindal Foundation — CSR arm of Jindal Steel — is actively promoting initiatives in sports, health, agriculture, and culture across the region. The Jindal Sports Hostel was specifically established to identify and support local sports talent by providing world-class facilities and professional training.

Sweta’s recent medal marks her fourth at the international level. Along with fellow athletes Prem, Rajkumar, Bablu, and Manju Munda, the hostel’s contingent has collectively bagged ten international medals at tournaments held in Moscow, Brunei, and Brazil.

Speaking on the occasion, Prashant Hota, President and Group Head (CSR), Jindal Steel, said, “In line with the vision of our Chairman, Shri Naveen Jindal, a passionate sports advocate, and the leadership of Smt. Shallu Jindal, the Foundation is deeply committed to developing grassroots sports talent. Our partnership with the Wushu Association of Odisha and the Keonjhar administration is instrumental in these achievements. It is heartening to see tribal youth from Keonjhar bringing laurels to the nation.”

With over 40,000 rural and tribal youth engaged in various sports — including martial arts, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, archery, and cricket — the Jindal Foundation continues to be a transformative force in unlocking sporting potential across India.