Tata Steel has always actively undertaken and supported sports initiatives in Odisha in a number of ways. In a dedicated effort to enhance the physical as well as mental development of the youth in the State, Tata Steel has come forward with corporate sponsorships in various fields of sports. Along the way, Odisha has given us many champions who have made the country proud. The Company has begun work for opening Feeder Centres at out-locations and Greenfield projects.
Regular football talent hunt camps conducted by Tata Football Academy are a major initiative by Tata Steel for promotion of sporting activity in the Keonjhar district. Promising footballers are sent to Tata Steel Sports Feeder Centre at Jajpur for preliminary training, and subsequently to Tata Football Academy for more intensive coaching. Football training is also provided to children living in slums.
At Kalinganagar one of the major thrusts in CSR initiatives in recent times have been directed towards the positive engagement of youth through sports. Four clubs were assisted to organise football tournaments during the year. A team of players was sent from the sports feeder centre to the selection camp organised by the State Football Association at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Two boys were selected to represent the State team in the under 19 team at Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. In Cricket, three clubs were assisted to organise cricket tournaments to promote sports and mobilisation of the local youth.
Tata Steel Sports Feeder Centre, Duburi - Recent Hall of Fame
Sheikh Mustakin, a boy from Cuttack, trained at Tata Football Academy is now an international footballer.
Jeetendra Majhi and Rajat Karua represented Odisha at the Junior National Football Championship, in the under 19 category.
Budhu Hembrom and Gitanjali Mohanta represented the State in National Rural Archery Competition.
Sushmita Behera and Jhilli Parida were selected in the Odisha under 19 team and participated in the Junior National archery Tournament.
Some of the initiatives taken by Tata Steel for the advancement of Sports in Odisha are
A Tata Steel Sports Feeder Centre that was set up in April 2008 at Duburi in Jajpur district to promote sports in rural and urban areas of Odisha.
Regular coaching camps and talent hunts are organised in association with Tata Football Academy.
Tata Steels organises rural sports meets and sponsors various tournaments like the Tata Utkalika Cup, Kalinga Cup and Biju Patnaik Gold Cup.
A stadium at Keonjhar has been set up to provide training infrastructure for sports lovers in Northern Odisha. The stadium is equipped with an indoor games hall, spectator galleries and a 400m running track.
Tata Steel has always actively undertaken and supported sports initiatives in Odisha in a number of ways. In a dedicated effort to enhance the physical as well as mental development of the youth in the State, Tata Steel has come forward with corporate sponsorships in various fields of sports. Along the way, Odisha has given us many champions who have made the country proud. The Company has begun work for opening Feeder Centres at out-locations and Greenfield projects.
