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JHARSUGUDA, NOVEMBER 6, 2025
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, celebrated the spirit of sportsmanship and youth empowerment by hosting the 20th Odisha State Sqay Martial Arts Championship at the Vedanta Martial Arts Training Centre in Jharsuguda. Organized in collaboration with the Sqay Association of Odisha, the championship witnessed spirited participation from over 190 young athletes representing districts including Jharsuguda, Cuttack, Nabarangpur, Khordha, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Ganjam, Rayagada, Angul, and Puri.
The two-day championship provided a vibrant platform for budding sportspersons to showcase their skills, strength, and discipline in Sqay, a traditional martial art that originated in Jammu & Kashmir. Known for its unique sword-and-shield combat techniques, Sqay combines ancient martial traditions with modern sporting principles. It is recognized nationally under the standardized rules of the International Council of Sqay Martial Arts, and has been steadily gaining popularity for promoting cultural heritage, discipline, and physical fitness among the youth.
The championship was graced by esteemed guests including Prasad Tamang, Commandant, OSAP 2nd Battalion, Jharsuguda, and Jyoti Sahu, Additional Tehsildar, Jharsuguda. Vedanta employees volunteered at the event, cheering on participants and supporting the smooth conduct of matches. Many first-time competitors impressed the audience and judges with their agility, precision, and composure.
Speaking on the occasion, C. Chandru, CEO, Vedanta Jharsuguda, said, “At Vedanta, we believe in the power of sports to transform young lives by instilling strength, discipline, teamwork, and confidence. Our support for traditional martial arts like Sqay reflects our commitment to the holistic development of youth in the region. It is heartening to see so much emerging talent, and we will continue to create platforms that inspire young people to excel.”
Commending the initiative, Commandant Prasad Tamang said, “This championship reflects the growing sporting spirit among Odisha’s youth. Sqay is more than a martial art — it’s a way of life that builds character, resilience, and focus. I appreciate Vedanta Jharsuguda and the Sqay Association of Odisha for nurturing such meaningful avenues for young athletes.”
The Vedanta Martial Arts Training Centre, established under Vedanta Aluminium’s community development initiatives, has been instrumental in promoting traditional martial arts in western Odisha. The centre offers structured training, competitive exposure, and mentorship to local children and youth, helping them channel their energy into productive and disciplined pursuits. Several trainees from the centre have represented Jharsuguda and Odisha at state and national levels, making it a true grassroots sports development hub.
Through such initiatives, Vedanta Aluminium continues to champion fitness, confidence, and leadership among rural youth while preserving India’s martial arts heritage.
A business of Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium is India’s largest aluminium producer, accounting for more than half of the nation’s output — 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. Ranked 2nd globally in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium industry, the company is committed to sustainable growth and innovation, driving the use of aluminium as the “Metal of the Future” for a greener world.
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