The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MAY 8, 2025
Celebrating World Athletics Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading producer of aluminium, has spotlighted its unwavering commitment to nurturing grassroots sports talent across Odisha. Through transformative initiatives in Kalahandi and Jharsuguda, the company is empowering over 200 youth from underserved communities with professional coaching, top-tier infrastructure, and competitive platforms to thrive.
At the heart of Vedanta’s sporting outreach are its flagship programs — the Vedanta Sports Training Initiative in Lanjigarh and the Vedanta Martial Arts Training Centre in Jharsuguda. Together, these initiatives are rewriting the narrative in regions once marked by poverty and underdevelopment, by placing young athletes on national and international podiums.
Since 2018, the Lanjigarh unit has supported over 100 budding athletes — offering specialized coaching in archery and karate. Notably, students from SSD High School have won 40+ medals in the past year alone, a testament to the program’s impact. In a recent milestone, Vedanta collaborated with former Olympian Rahul Banerjee to train 80+ tribal students in archery, elevating the program’s credibility and reach.
Meanwhile, in Jharsuguda, the Vedanta Martial Arts Training Centre is training over 100 youth, including young women, in karate and self-defence. It’s not just about medals—the center is a hub for building confidence, resilience, and leadership. Further strengthening Odisha’s legacy in hockey, Vedanta also co-hosted the first-ever Inter-State U-17 Girls’ 5-A-Side Hockey Tournament, spotlighting the next generation of female athletes.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Kumar, CEO – Vedanta Aluminium, said: “At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe sports has the power to transform lives. From Jharsuguda to Lanjigarh, our initiatives are not just creating athletes, but shaping confident, empowered individuals. Odisha has always been a cradle of sporting talent, and we are proud to be strengthening that legacy.”
Beyond training centers, Vedanta has invested in organizing events like the District Hockey Championship and enhancing sports infrastructure — like the new administrative building for the Jharsuguda District Athletics Association. Its well-equipped townships provide accessible, modern facilities, enabling both youth and adults to embrace healthier lifestyles.
Vedanta Aluminium’s grassroots sports initiatives are a living embodiment of its mission to foster holistic community development and create lasting social impact, with every medal won being a story of hope, perseverance, and transformation.
