THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

LUCKNOW, MARCH 2, 2026

Reaffirming its commitment to nurturing grassroots sporting talent and advancing women’s participation in competitive sports, NTPC’s Northern Region Headquarters extended support to the 4th NTPC Khelo India National Ranking for Women Archery Tournament, held at the historic KD Singh Babu Stadium here from February 28 to March 1, 2026.

Organised by the Uttar Pradesh Archery Federation under the leadership of Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and President of the UP Archery Association, the national ranking event brought together an impressive field of 266 women archers from across the country, reflecting the growing depth and diversity of talent in Indian archery.

The tournament was inaugurated by Baby Rani Maurya, Cabinet Minister for Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Uttar Pradesh, alongside Paralympian and senior IAS officer Suhas LY, Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Uttar Pradesh, in the presence of S. N. Panigrahi, CGM, NTPC NRHQ.

Addressing the athletes, the Minister underscored India’s rich archery heritage and urged participants to draw inspiration from the courage and resilience of Rani Lakshmi Bai.

Reiterating NTPC’s sustained focus on sports development through its CSR initiatives, CGM (HR) Panigrahi emphasised the organisation’s resolve to promote archery across the country and create platforms for emerging women athletes to excel at national and international levels. The initiative aligns with NTPC’s broader vision of community development through sports and youth empowerment.

The closing ceremony witnessed the distribution of prizes by Arjun Munda, President of the Archery Association of India, and Padma Shri awardee folk singer Malini Awasthi, who lauded NTPC’s continued support for the sport. Their presence added cultural and sporting significance to the event, celebrating both athletic excellence and India’s traditional legacy.

The participation of Paralympic medallists Harvinder Singh and Sheetal Devi infused the competition with inspiration and highlighted the inclusive spirit of the Khelo India movement. Their achievements served as a powerful reminder of the transformative role of sports in shaping confidence, resilience and national pride among young athletes.