THEBUSINESSBYTES.COM Fast. Focused. Future-ready
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 9, 2025
The Jindal Foundation, the social arm of Jindal Steel, has been conferred with the prestigious ‘FICCI Special Appreciation Award 2025’ as a ‘Socially Responsible Company for Promotion of Sports’. The award was presented by Rajashree Birla, Chairperson, FICCI Aditya Birla CSR Centre of Excellence, at a special ceremony hosted by FICCI to celebrate and recognise excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility.
This honour underscores the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to the holistic development of sports at the grassroots level, particularly in underserved and rural communities. For decades, the Jindal Foundation has worked to identify and nurture sporting talent, invest in sports infrastructure, and create pathways for athletes from local communities to access national and international platforms.
Expressing her gratitude, Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of the Jindal Foundation, said, “We are deeply honoured to receive this award from FICCI. At the Jindal Foundation, we believe sports have the power to transform lives by building character, discipline, and leadership. Our goal is to empower youth from all sections of society and equip them with the tools to achieve excellence in sports as well as in life. This recognition inspires us to further intensify our efforts in promoting an inclusive sports culture across India.”
Prashant Hota, President & Group Head – CSR & Education, Jindal Steel, added, “This award is a tribute to our grassroots partners, coaches, and the thousands of young athletes whose stories of resilience inspire our mission every day. Our model integrates sports with education, health, and gender empowerment, ensuring sustainable impact. Guided by the dynamic vision of our Chairman, Sri Naveen Jindal, a three-time Member of Parliament and sports icon, and mentored by Smt. Shallu Jindal, we are running the extra mile every day to promote grassroots sporting talent and make India future-ready to win international laurels. We are grateful to FICCI and Smt. Rajashree Birla for acknowledging our commitment to nation-building through sports.”
The Jindal Foundation’s sports initiatives extend across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and other regions where it has made substantial investments in community development. Thousands of rural athletes have benefitted from coaching, equipment, scholarships, and exposure to competitive arenas. The Foundation has also organised specialised training camps in martial arts (Wushu), archery, athletics, football, hockey, and indigenous sports, with a special focus on encouraging participation by girls and specially-abled athletes.
Over the years, through its inclusive sports initiatives, the Jindal Foundation has nurtured more than **30,000 sporting talents** via its CSR projects. It has also developed a range of sports infrastructure across villages, small towns, and district headquarters — from playgrounds, indoor and outdoor coaching centres, and sports galleries to swimming pools and world-class facilities in major stadiums. This comprehensive approach has positioned the Foundation as one of India’s most impactful contributors to grassroots sports promotion.
Leave a Reply