THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 7, 2026

Emphasising that the values imbibed through sports — discipline, resilience, and collaboration — are integral to achieving organisational excellence, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh on Tuesday inaugurated the prestigious All India Public Sector Badminton Tournament in Bhubaneswar.

Addressing the gathering, Singh highlighted the transformative role of sports in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, leadership qualities and a strong sense of teamwork among employees. He underlined that sporting culture nurtures commitment, perseverance and collective spirit, which are essential for building a motivated and high-performing workforce. Reaffirming NALCO’s enduring commitment to promoting sports, he noted that the organisation continues to integrate sporting values into its corporate ethos to drive excellence and productivity.

The national-level tournament is being hosted by NALCO in coordination with the All India Public Sector Sports Control Board for the first time in Bhubaneswar, further strengthening the city’s growing stature as a vibrant hub for major sporting events. The four-day championship, scheduled from April 7 to 10, 2026, is being held at the KIIT Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by NALCO’s Board of Directors, including Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Director (Production), Dr. Tapas Kumar Pattanayak, Director (HR), Abhay Kumar Behuria, Director (Finance), and Anil Kumar Singh, Director (Commercial). Senior officials from the All India Public Sector Sports Control Board, along with representatives and leadership from various public sector undertakings, were also present.

The tournament has attracted participation from more than 200 players representing 14 public sector organisations, including Coal India Limited, Steel Authority of India Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Oil India Limited, Food Corporation of India, Reserve Bank of India, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India, and Employees State Insurance Corporation, among others.

The inaugural programme also featured an engaging cultural performance reflecting Odisha’s rich artistic heritage. The enthusiastic participation of players, officials and badminton enthusiasts lent vibrant energy to the opening day, setting an inspiring tone for the competitive matches ahead.