Girls account for over 40 per cent of participants as trainees secure podium finishes in CM Trophy and SGFI National Championship

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

SUNDARGARH, JULY 21, 2026

Less than a year after its launch, TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited’s (TPWODL) grassroots sports initiative has surpassed its targets, enrolling more than 500 young athletes from 40 rural villages in Sundargarh and helping local talent achieve success at state and national-level competitions.

Implemented in partnership with the Trust of People (TOP) under TPWODL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the initiative was launched in August 2025 to identify, nurture and train promising rural youth in football, athletics and kho-kho. Against the current phase target of 400 student-athletes, the programme has already enrolled 502 trainees, with girls accounting for more than 40 per cent of the total participation, surpassing its gender inclusion benchmark. The initiative aims to enable talented athletes to represent the district, state and nation while creating pathways for admission to sports institutions and employment through sports quotas.

The project-supported athletes have already delivered impressive performances across multiple sporting disciplines. The girls’ football team emerged as Zonal Champions in the CM Trophy and later finished as runners-up in the Inter-Zonal Tournament, with several players earning selection to represent the Sundargarh district team.

In athletics, trainees qualified for the State Senior Athletics Championship at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, delivering commendable performances in middle-distance events and the high jump.

The project’s kho-kho athletes secured second place in the Odisha Kho-Kho League and participated in High Performance Centre (HPC) trials. One trainee represented Odisha at the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) Under-17 Championship in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, while another secured third place in the State-Level Kho-Kho Championship under the CM Trophy, underscoring the programme’s growing contribution to developing competitive sporting talent from rural Sundargarh.

Speaking on the initiative, TPWODL CEO Parveen Verma said, "Our commitment to community development extends beyond providing reliable power. We are equally committed to empowering young minds and building stronger communities through meaningful CSR initiatives. The success of the Sports Promotion Project reflects the immense untapped talent that exists in rural Odisha, and TPWODL will continue to support platforms that inspire excellence, promote inclusion and create opportunities for the next generation."

Since its launch in August 2025, the project has been conducting structured coaching sessions across 40 villages, averaging 25 coaching days each month. Participants are also provided with essential sports equipment, including jerseys, football boots and athletics spikes. To date, 223 complete sports kits have been distributed to deserving athletes.

Beyond training, the initiative is creating pathways for long-term career development by helping athletes secure admissions to sports academies and access employment opportunities through sports quotas. TPWODL and TOP remain committed to expanding the programme, strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure and nurturing Sundargarh’s next generation of sporting champions.