The event was graced by Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi (IAS) as the Chief Guest, along with the presence of Khel Ratna awardee and Olympian Manu Bhaker, renowned motivational speaker Captain Shri Dharamveer, and Nachhatar Singh Johal, CEO – TOPS, Sports Authority of India (SAI). Their participation inspired employees to embrace sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork in both professional and personal spheres.

The programme was organised on National Sports Day at REC’s Gurugram headquarters, marking the birth anniversary of the great hockey player and “Hockey Magician” Major Dhyan Chand. The main objective of the celebration, observed on the theme ‘One hour, on the field of sports’, was to encourage healthy living and disease prevention through the adoption of a better lifestyle.

The celebration highlighted REC’s commitment to fostering a culture of fitness, motivation, and holistic well-being among its employees.

The post REC Celebrates National Sports Day in the August Presence of Eminent Personalities appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

The dignitaries paid floral tribute at the portrait of Hockey Wizard Major Dhyan Chand, whose Birth Anniversary is being celebrated as the National Sports Day.

Paying rich tributes to legendary Major Dhyan Chand, Mr. Misra highlighted RSP’s contribution in nurturing national and international sports stars. He elaborated upon the manifold increase in the allowances and award money of sports persons by RSP which have been reviewed after 35 years to promote sporting excellence.

An Exhibition match was played between SAIL Hockey Academy and Hockey Hostel Panposh on the occasion. The Chief Guest and other Senior Officers were introduced to the players participating in the friendly match. Hockey Hostel Panposh beat SAIL Hockey Academy by 3-1 goals in the match.

During the function, ED (HR) felicitated former Captain of the Indian Junior team and longstanding Coach of SAIL Hockey Academy, Olympian Peter Tirkey.

Before the formal opening of the match National Anthem was sung followed by the administering of Fit India Pledge. The players, coaches and game officials were felicitated with token gifts on the occasion.

At the outset, Mr. A K Sabat, GM (TS-CA, Land, Administration & Sports) delivered the welcome address. Mr. Raghu Padhi, Deputy Manager (Sports) along with the Team from Sports Department coordinated the programme.   Mr.Anil Mallick of Silicon Steel Mill Department anchored the event.

The post National Sports Day observed by SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Vedanta’s sports vision is to champion India’s sporting transformation by empowering communities and enabling global podium success. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, coaching, and community engagement, Vedanta is building a robust sporting ecosystem that nurtures grassroots talent. The company empowers them through holistic development, fostering discipline, education, and opening pathways to progress to both national and international platforms.

Football has become a launchpad for young footballers in states like Goa and Rajasthan with Sesa Football Academy (SFA) and Zinc Football Academy (ZFA). Since its inception in 1999, SFA has nurtured over 8,000 students and produced more than 230 professional footballers, including national team stars like Adil Khan and Denzil Franco. Since 2017, SFA has also been continuously supporting the Vedanta Women’s League (VWL) in Goa, providing the largest platform for more than 1,400 women footballers. Over the years, 12 SFA players have represented India internationally, with the latest being Pearl Fernandes, who progressed through the ranks of the Vedanta Women’s League before earning her place in the Indian squad for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-17 Championship in Bhutan.

Mohammed Kaif and Prem Hansdak from Zinc Football Academy have represented India in SAFF U-17 and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifiers. A highlight of this academy is its recent launch of the Zinc Football Girls Academy at Zawar, Udaipur, in partnership with All India Football Federation (AIFF). As one of India’s first residential football academies for girls, the facility is equipped with advanced F-Cube training technology and has inducted 20 under-15 players from five states.

Players from both these academies have been signed by Indian Super League (ISL) clubs including Hyderabad FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giants, etc.

Beyond football, Vedanta is nurturing grassroots talent in archery, athletics, and karate, training over 300 tribal youth in Odisha’s Kalahandi with 110 children currently receiving professional coaching. Among them, Sanjay Majhi made history by winning Odisha’s first national-level individual archery medal in over two decades at the NTPC Senior Nationals 2024. “My coach Simanchal Kadraka is a national level archer himself. Additionally, Vedanta Archery Training Initiative has held my hand since the beginning, helping me with everything from sports equipment to my diet.”, said Sanjay Majhi. (See Sanjay Majhi’s video here: https://youtu.be/TOWsU9Jfczs).

In Jharkhand, Vedanta ESL Steel’s academy supports 50 young archers who have won over 50 medals, including standout performances by Aarti Kumari (triple gold, recognized by the Olympic Archery Association), Kritika Kumari, and Gayatri Majhi at national tournaments.

Supported by Vedanta Sesa Goa, Sakshi Kale – Goa’s first para-athlete, became the first-ever gold and silver medalist from Goa at Para Khelo India Games and also represented India at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Paris. Extending support to underprivileged, the company provides free squash training for 20 kids in Dharavi, Mumbai, one of the largest slums in the world.

Vedanta champions the #RunForZeroHunger campaign by supporting marathons across Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Bangalore. Through this initiative, every kilometre run, translates into nutrition for a child at Nand Ghar, Vedanta’s flagship social impact project that is transforming Anganwadis into modern childcare centres.

Alongside grassroots sports development, Vedanta is also investing in professional and emerging sports. The company owns Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Odisha’s premier hockey team, underscoring support for India’s national game.  In the 2024–25 season of the Hockey India League, the team scored the highest number of goals, with star forward Thierry Brinkman emerging as the top scorer.

Vedanta has also recently debuted in the World Padel League with the launch of its padel team, Vedanta Leopards, which finished as runners-up in their inaugural season.

The post Vedanta Harnesses Sports to Transform 3 Lakh Lives  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

The gesture pays tribute to India’s sporting legacy — honouring champions who have earned the nation global recognition, as Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 opens by celebrating a game rooted in Indian soil and rising on the world stage.

The event will underscore the unity of India’s sporting spirit — blending heritage, achievement, and the growing cultural resonance of kabaddi as it embarks on a new season.

“On the auspicious occasion of National Sports Day, it is only fitting that this season of the Pro Kabaddi League begins in the presence of legends who have shaped India’s sporting journey. Their legacy reflects the very spirit PKL celebrates — honouring our roots while taking kabaddi to new heights. We’re privileged to have them with us as we usher in another thrilling season,” said Anupam Goswami, Business Head – Mashal & League Commissioner, Pro Kabaddi.

“National Sports Day reminds me how sports bring everyone together. Playing teaches you teamwork, discipline, and resilience. I feel lucky to be part of Rajasthan Royals, learning and chasing my dreams — and I hope more kids like me start playing and believing in themselves,” said Rajasthan Royals player Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Season 12 will also see new competitive formats. For the first time, all matches will produce a result, with tiebreakers deciding drawn games even during the league stage. A new ‘play-in’ phase has been introduced between the league and playoffs: the top two teams will qualify directly for the playoffs; 3rd and 4th will contest a mini-qualifier; while teams ranked 5th–8th will battle in the play-in.

The post PRO KABADDI LEAGUE SEASON 12 TO KICK OFF WITH SPORTING LEGENDS ON NATIONAL SPORTS DAY appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Bengaluru, August 29, 2024:  On the occasion of National Sports Day, Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, is undertaking various sports, fitness and environmental activities such as walkathons, group sports competitions and tree plantation drives across the country to promote a healthier, more active, and environmentally conscious community. Bank today also launched the “Sab Mein Hai Khiladi” campaign to recognise and celebrate the athletic and sportsmanship spirit that resides within every employee of the Bank. India celebrates National Sports Day on August 29 every year, commemorating the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

The Sab Mein Hai Khiladi campaign features three of India’s well-known athletes and Bank of Baroda’s endorsers: badminton legend PV Sindhu, cricket star Shafali Verma and rising tennis player Sumit Nagal. These three sporting stars took centre stage together with Bank of Baroda’s own athletes. The Bank currently has 50 employees who are sportspersons and who are an integral part of the campaign. As a part of the campaign, the Bank organised several sporting activities for employees such as table tennis, basketball, cycling, arm wrestling etc with employees earning points. The campaign also included a fitness challenge and a sports-themed trivia contest with the top winners getting an exclusive meet-and-greet session with their sporting idols as well as some exciting prizes.

Shri Sanjay Vinayak Mudaliar, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda said, “On National Sports Day, we wish to share the message that the spirit of a ‘khiladi’ resides in all of us. In addition to helping us stay both physically and mentally fit and active, sports teaches us many lessons – it teaches us the importance of hard work, perseverance, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship. Values that are important both on and off the field. This National Sports Day, Bank of Baroda is rekindling the champion within us all.”

Employees across the Bank also took the ‘Fit India Pledge’ to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

The post On National Sports Day, Bank of Baroda launches “Sab Mein Hai Khiladi” Campaign  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Smt. Parminder Chopra, CMD, PFC, administered the Fit India Pledge and flagged off the events, along with Shri Rajiv Ranjan Jha, Director (Projects), Shri Manoj Sharma Director, (Commercial), Shri Sandeep Kumar Director, (Finance), and Smt. Simmi Nakra, CVO, PFC.

All employees participated enthusiastically fostering a culture of health and fitness making the event truly exceptional.

The post PFC celebrates National Sports Day  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

The dignitaries paid floral tribute at the portrait of Hockey Wizard Major Dhyan Chand, whose Birth Anniversary is being celebrated as the National Sports Day.

Paying rich tributes to legendary Major Dhyan Chand, Mr. Suryawanshi highlighted RSP’s contribution in nurturing national and international sports stars. Emphasizing upon the transformative impact of sports on individuals and society, he urged everyone to embrace the values of hardwork, respect, integrity and the spirit of sportsmanship.

An Exhibition match was played between SAIL Hockey Academy and Hockey Hostel Panposh on the occasion. The Chief Guest and other Senior Officers were introduced to the players participating in the friendly match. The game ended in a 3-3 draw.

During the function, ED (Works) felicitated Mr. Birendra Lakra (Arjuna Awardee and Olympian) and Alumnus of SAIL Hockey Academy.

Before the formal opening of the match National Anthem was sung followed by the administering of Fit India Pledge in Odia, Hindi and English. The players, coaches and game officials were felicitated with token gifts on the occasion.

At the out set Mr. P K Swain delivered the welcome address. Mr. Raghu Padhi, Deputy Manager (Sports) along with the Team from Sports Department coordinated the programme.   Mr.Anil Mallick of Silicon Steel Mill Department anchored the event.

The post National Sports Day observed by SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.