THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
OCTOBER 23, 2026
Aditya Aluminium, a
unit of Aditya Birla Group’s Hindalco Industries Limited, is creating new
opportunities for rural and tribal girls in Odisha through Project Lakshya. The
initiative is nurturing football talent among 55 young girls in Rengali Block
of Sambalpur district through professional coaching, sports infrastructure,
nutritional support and competitive exposure.
Implemented through
the registered Aditya Uday Sports Club, the programme began with outreach
across schools and villages in six gram panchayats to identify promising young
players. Beyond football, it focuses on building discipline, teamwork,
leadership and self-confidence, empowering girls to pursue their aspirations
both on and off the field.
The initiative has
already achieved encouraging milestones. Five players have been selected for
the District Under-14 Football Team, while another player has secured admission
to the prestigious SESA Football Academy in Goa.
For the young
footballers and their families, Project Lakshya is becoming a source of hope,
pride and opportunity.
Nandini Oram, a
15-year-old resident of Dunguripada village under Jangla Gram Panchayat, said,
“Football has been my passion since childhood, but I never had the opportunity
to pursue it seriously. Project Lakshya has given wings to my dream,
strengthened my confidence and inspired me to believe in my abilities. Today,
football has given me renewed hope and a sense of identity.”
Sharing her joy over
her daughter Barsha’s selection to SESA Football Academy, Surabhi Munda, a
resident of Katabaga village in Rengali Block, said, “Seeing my daughter move
closer to her football dream fills our family with immense pride. Her selection
to SESA Football Academy has opened new possibilities for her future. We sincerely
thank Aditya Aluminium’s CSR initiative for recognising her talent and
providing the support and opportunity she needs to pursue her ambitions.”
Similarly, Sunita
Minj, 20, from Salepada village under Jangla Gram Panchayat, highlighted the
programme’s impact on her confidence. “Limited opportunities once held me back
from pursuing my dream of playing football. Project Lakshya, supported by
Aditya Aluminium, has given me access to regular training and the confidence to
aim higher. It has strengthened my determination to pursue football at a more
competitive level.”
For Nikita Oram, 21,
from Ludhapali village, football is a family legacy. Inspired by her mother, a
national-level football player, she now plays as a goalkeeper for Aditya Uday
Sports Club. “My mother has always inspired me to dream of becoming a
footballer. Project Lakshya has helped me turn that dream into reality by
providing the opportunity to train and play. Today, I am proud to carry forward
her inspiration and aspire to achieve greater heights,” she said.
Commenting on the
initiative, Jagannath Nayak, Unit Head, Aditya Aluminium, Lapanga, said: “At
Aditya Aluminium, we believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to
realize her full potential. Through Project Lakshya, we are using sports as a
powerful medium to empower rural girls, build confidence, and create pathways
for their future growth.”
“The achievements of our young footballers
demonstrate what can be accomplished when talent is combined with the right
support and opportunities. We are proud to contribute to nurturing future
champions while promoting inclusion, gender equality and holistic community
development,” he added.
As families
increasingly support their daughters’ sporting ambitions, Project Lakshya is
helping challenge traditional barriers and inspire more girls to take up
football. By combining coaching, nutrition, infrastructure, mentorship and
competitive exposure, the initiative aims to nurture future athletes capable of
representing Odisha and India while empowering rural girls to pursue bigger
dreams.
