Shruti Kotwal eyes 2026 Winter Olympics qualification, wishes skaters ahead of KIWG 2025
New Delhi, Jan. 20: Shruti Kotwal will have her eyes on the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games 2025 in Ladakh even as she trains in the United States for the Asian Winter Games in February in China. India’s first professional woman speed skater took part in KIWG last year and produced some standout performances in her maiden appearance at these Games. The 33-year-old from Pune will be leading India’s charge in the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China from February 7-14. The sports ministry has cleared a squad of 41 athletes for AWG. These include speed skaters and their support staff. For Shruti, this will be her second appearance in the AWG after 2017, when the Asian meet was last held in Japan. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFCkDaRzDCj/?igsh=MTIwYzZ2OTk2amhsMw== “This will be my second Asian Winter Games and I’m thrilled to compete again. Countries like South Korea, Japan, and China consistently produce strong skaters who are technically and physically exceptional. I’ve faced some of these competitors in previous events and understand their strengths. It’s a tough field, but I see every race as an opportunity to push my limits and improve my own performance,” said Shruti in an interview with SAI Media. Shruti Kotwal is currently training at the Utah Olympic Oval in the US. Training at this indoor speed skating centre, which was built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, has played a major role in Shruti’s career. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFCkat_zL6c/?igsh=ZG5yZHZhczIzeGVz “Training in the US, especially at facilities like the Utah Olympic Oval, has been a game-changer. The exposure to world-class coaches, advanced training methodologies, and access to one of the fastest ice tracks in the world has significantly improved my technique, endurance, and speed. “Competing with and observing some of the best skaters here has pushed me to refine my skills and understand the finer details of the sport. The environment has been incredibly motivating and challenging, which has accelerated my progress,” said Shruti. The AWG will be a big opportunity to test herself against the best skaters in the world and qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, said Shruti. “I’m focusing on the 500m and 1000m events for Olympic qualification. The timing requirements are incredibly challenging — sub-40 seconds for the 500m and under 1:20 for the 1000m. My Indian national record is 41.97 seconds and I need to skate under 40 seconds to qualify,” said Shruti. This will be the first time in China that India will be represented by such a large contingent of skaters. In 2017, there were just three athletes, all skaters. Several Indian speed skaters are training in Korea for Harbin 2025. At least 24 nations will take part in AWG. Shruti said the Khelo India Winter Games have been the ideal platform for skaters aspiring to make a mark in international tournaments. “Khelo India Winter Games brings everybody together. It really helps to promote the sport. We didn’t have that when we started and I think the skaters now are now very lucky,” said Shruti. The first leg of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 will begin in Ladakh on January 23. Skating events will take place at the NDS Stadium and the Gupuks Pond in Leh. At least 150 ice speed skaters will be seen in action.
India Scripts History With Twin-Titles In The Kho-Kho World Cup 2025
For the first time in history, the Indian men’s and women’s Kho-Kho teams made history by winning the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup 2025 held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. Both teams beat Nepal in their respective finals and bagged the Kho-Kho World Cup titles. Men’s Kho-Kho Final: India Wins 54-36 The Indian men’s Kho-Kho team dominated Nepal in the final and won the first-ever Kho-Kho World Cup title by 54-36. Nepal won the toss and chose to defend, however, India capitalized on their chance to attack. At the end of Turn 1, the hosts were in a strong position with a 26-0 lead and they were never behind in the game. Despite Nepal’s efforts in Turn 2 to cut the deficit to 26-18, India’s strong performance in Turn 3 saw them extend their lead to 54-18. Nepal could not recover from the large gap in the final turn, and India held on to secure a historic victory. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, overcoming Sri Lanka and South Africa in the knockout stages after topping Group A. Women’s Kho-Kho Final: India Win 78-40 The women’s team for India also succeeded in the final against Nepal and won with 78-40. Nepal called the toss to allow India to start attacking; it was, however, a wrong choice. India created a great environment from the first turn itself under the captain, Priyanka Ingle, with a thumping 34-0 margin at the end of Turn 1. Despite Nepal’s attempts to regroup, India’s defense was unyielding, allowing Nepal to reduce the gap to just 35-24 by Turn 2. India’s attacking prowess continued in Turn 3 as they extended their lead to 73-24. A strong defensive effort in the final turn sealed the victory for India, who also remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The Women’s Kho-Kho team, as was the case with their male counterparts, emerged at the top of Group A and qualified for the final after a couple of comfortable wins over Bangladesh and South Africa. India has witnessed double history-making triumphs at the Kho-Kho World Cup 2025 and both the men’s and women’s Kho-Kho teams showed great promise and determination while claiming the title. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
What Makes Concussion A Terrible Sports Injury?
In the field of sports science, concussion is often viewed as a serious condition because it is subtle in nature and may have long-term effects. The term “concussion” is often used interchangeably with the term “mild traumatic brain injury” (mTBI), however, its complexity and the effects on the nervous system can be much more serious than what meets the eye. How Brutal Concussion Can Be? The subtlety of concussion is one of the most disturbing features of this injury, especially in the world of sports. In as many as 90% of concussion cases, there is no loss of consciousness and many concussions go undiagnosed or unrecognized. Athletes may continue to participate in activities without knowing they have an injury. This is intimidating because such an interruption to normal brain functioning with no detectable structural abnormality on CT or MRIs from a concussion occurs. Thus, teaching athletes, coaches and trainers about the mostly invisible nature of brain injuries in sports remains to be crucial work in the sciences of sport. Metabolic And Physiological Impact Of Concussion The brain’s reaction to concussion entails a cascade of metabolic, physiological and microstructural changes that affect normal brain function. In the acute stages after the injury, neurotransmitters are released and brain metabolism slows down, which causes an energy crisis and reduces cerebral blood flow. These changes in brain metabolism and circulation can persist for days even though the symptoms themselves might have subsided. This process requires detailed understanding in the lines of sports science and recovery protocol for athletes. India, having drastically proliferated sports science in recent years, it is of utmost importance to understand and treat metabolic effects of concussion for an athlete’s safety. Long-Term Risks Of Repeated Concussions Another reason concussion is such a terrible sports injury is the long-term consequences of repeated head trauma. While one concussion may clear up in a few weeks, repeated concussions can lead to chronic conditions like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that has been associated with mood disorders, cognitive impairments, and dementia, and it can be several years after multiple concussions. In sports injuries, particularly in contact sports, this points to the need for proper management and prevention strategies. Mechanisms Of Concussion Concussion occurs through acceleration forces, which are acting linearly as well as rotationally on the brain. Rotational forces cause maximum damage in terms of shear stresses, resulting in deformation of brain tissue, leading to axonal injury. Mostly diffuse axonal injury is provoked that is not evident in the eyes, however, its impact will continue for a very long time. An understanding of the contribution of concussive forces in its onset can also improve the enhancement of the protective features and better safeguarding measures at sports events through better safety precautions. Risk Of Second Impact Syndrome It is a significant danger of SIS, which can simply be said to be a phenomenon that occurs during which a person is hit by a second concussion before a total recovery from the first concussion. SIS most often results in devastating cerebral swelling and even proves fatal. Although very rare, SIS reminds everyone how dire proper diagnosis, rest, and monitoring for an athlete who has experienced a concussion are. Proper concussion management protocols are required in sports science, especially within the growing field of sports science in India. Addressing Concussion In Sports Concussion is the worst sports injury since it often appears invisible, leads to permanent damage to the brain and in case it is not handled well, its results can be quite severe. Sports science helps us understand the intricacies of concussion and its impact. Proper recognition, diagnosis and management of concussions are important for protecting athletes’ health in the short and long term, especially in sports environments where injuries in sports are a common concern. Through awareness and effective strategies, athletes can be better protected from the devastating effects of concussions. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
BCCI Wants The Indian Cricket Team To Travel Together
The Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) has sent a detailed ten-point policy document to the state associations that are scheduled to host India’s upcoming matches against England. The series will start off with the first T20I at the Eden Gardens on January 22, 2025 and will have five T20Is followed by three ODIs. BCCI Establishes Guidelines For Team Travel and Training The Cricket Association of Bengal, which is hosting the first T20I between India and England at the Eden Gardens, said on Sunday it had made necessary arrangements for the Indian team with regard to new BCCI policy. This fact was highlighted when the Indian Cricket Team began training at the venue on the first day. BCCI Asks The Team To Travel Together One of the main points in the policy document mandates that the whole team travel together to training and matches on a team bus. This decision was taken after a review meeting in which BCCI officials, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, ODI and Test Captain Rohit Sharma, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, discussed India’s recent performances, especially in test match cricket. BCCI Tightens Team Discipline With New Travel Rule According to the new rules set by BCCI, a player would require permission from either the head coach or head selector if he wanted to leave the team and travel alone for training or matches. The policy also states that all players should stay at the ground until the end of the entire training session or game before leaving. This rule is meant to instill a strong work ethic and commitment in the team. BCCI Declares Mandatory Domestic Cricket Participation Another important aspect of the policy was that players need to play for their domestic teams. Rohit Sharma had, earlier, tackled this issue with a press conference in Mumbai at the time the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad was declared. Ajit Agarkar also clarified the fact that all these new rules were not being imposed as any form of punitive measure but only as necessary requirements for all of them to comply with when they wore the national badge. Will the new guidelines set by BCCI add more discipline to the Indian Cricket Team or will it add more unwanted restrictions? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Team India Announce Squad For The ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Team India today announced the team that will represent it at theICC Champions Trophy 2025, which starts on February 19, 2025. Team India will face Bangladesh the very next day and will have a much-awaited Pakistan encounter on February 23 in Dubai. Hybrid Model For Team India During Champions Trophy After the breakthrough agreement last month, the ICC has decided on a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy. In this, the matches involving India will be played in Dubai despite the tournament officially being hosted by Pakistan. Team India To Take On England Before Champions Trophy Team India’s preparation will begin with a bilateral ODI series against England. India will play three bilateral ODIs against England on February 6, 9, and 12 – the first 50-over cricket for the team since the series against Sri Lanka in August 2024. Bumrah And Kuldeep Return Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav have been named in India’s provisional 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy. The final squad must be submitted to the ICC by February 11. Team India Schedule For Champions Trophy Team India will be featuring in the Group A at the Champions Trophy. Under this group, Team India will be playing Bangladesh on February 20, 2025, Pakistan on February 23, 2025 and New Zealand on March 2, 2025. All the matches will be played in Dubai as the Indian authorities refused permission for the team to travel to Pakistan. Team India For The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Air Quality Concerns Cast Shadow On Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025
The Tata Mumbai Marathon is just around the corner, however, there are some serious concerns that we need to look at. Mumbai Marathon Exposed To High Pollution Levels As Mumbai gets ready for the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) 2025 this Sunday, January 18, 2025, the air quality issues have been causing a lot of concern. A survey conducted by the Awaaz Foundation on Friday showed dangerously high pollution levels along the marathon route, with PM2.5 readings far exceeding the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) safe limit. Dangerous PM2.5 Readings Along Mumbai Marathon Route Mahim Reti Bunder in the vicinity of the half-marathon starting point recorded the maximum reading of 154 µg/m³ and the lowest value was 95 µg/m³ at Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road. Both figures are way past the safe value of 24 hours at 60 µg/m³, a cause for worry over the risks to the more than 60,000 people participating. Mumbai Marathon Faces Seasonal Haze and Pollution Air quality continues to deteriorate due to the seasonal haze being experienced as part of winter winds that have no sea breeze action to dislodge the entrapped pollutants across the region. According to weather analysts, low temperature, light wind, and relatively high humidity add to the health woes by ensuring the suspension of harmful aerosols in the atmosphere. Health Risks For Mumbai Marathon Participants Experts say that respiratory risks are also on the cards, particularly concerning those with pre-existing medical conditions like asthma. A pulmonologist at Lilavati Hospital and expert said part of the danger was that particulate matter would pose risks to lung health. Medical director for the marathon, Dr Santosh Kumar Dora, also echoed concerns, stating cardiac and physiotherapy teams were being stationed along the route to control medical emergencies. Adding to the health concerns, meteorologists predict a spike in temperatures this weekend, with maximums expected to reach 35°C. This combination of pollution and heat could pose further risks to runners and spectators. A Call For Action Ahead Of Mumbai Marathon 2025 Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation appealed to the Procam International and Tata Group that organizes this marathon to immediately take steps forward. She insisted on the setting up of proper air quality monitoring, health advisory to participants before running, and real-time information on pollution in the run events. Mumbai Marathon 2025 Faces Environmental Challenges With air quality and heat in mind, this may be an off year for the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025 as city challenges continue to haunt participants and organizers. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Team India Champions Trophy 2025 Squad To Be Announced Soon
As per reports, the Team India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 and England ODI’s is expected to be announced today, ie – Saturday, January 18, 2025. Team India Captain And Chief Selector To Address The Media As per reports, Team India Captain, Rohit Sharma and the BCCI Chief Selector, Ajit Agarkar are set to address the media today, ie – Saturday at 12.30 pm IST. Team India is scheduled to kickstart their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, 2025 before taking on arch rivals Pakistan three days later. Team India is supposed to play their last fixture of the group stage against New Zealand on March 02, 2025. Dubai will host all the Champions Trophy 2025 games for the men in blue. Sanju Samson Likely To Be Dropped Out Of Team India Squad It is understood that wicket-keeper batter, Sanju Samson won’t make it to the Team India squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 and for the ODI series against England. BCCI had asked their players to feature in the domestic circuit however Sanju Samson remained unavailable for Kerala in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jasprit Bumrah’s Selection Depends Upon Injury As per reports, the medical team from BCCI had asked Jasprit Bumrah to at least have a 5 week rest post the Sydney test which ended on January 05, 2025. Jasprit Bumrah is however expected to be up and running before Team India starts their campaign for the Champions Trophy 2025. Jasprit Bumrah’s selection currently completely depends upon his recovery and fitness. Team India would be hoping to have Bumrah in their white-ball set up if not for the England ODI’s then for the Champions Trophy 2025. KL Rahul May Feature For Team India As per reports., KL Rahul is expected to feature for Team India during the Champions Trophy 2025. KL Rahul was pretty decent for Team India during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 where Team India played the final against Australia. However, it is also understood that KL Rahul won’t be featuring during the England ODI’s. He would be rested for the series. Kuldeep Yadav Looks Uncertain For Team India Kuldeep Yadav is still recovering from a sports hernia. Therefore his selection for the England ODI’s and the Champions Trophy 2025 looks uncertain. Kuldeep has been brilliant with the ball for Team India. Varun Chakravarthy will probably replace Kuldeep if he fails to make it to the Team India squad. Will Mohammed Shami Feature For Team India? The National Cricket Academy (NCA) had recently declared Shami fit. He also played three 50 over domestic games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy bowling 26 overs in total. As of now, it seems that Mohammed Shami is set to return to Team India’s ODI set up. Varun Chakravarthy Might Get A Team India Surprise Call It is also understood that spin bowler, Varun Chakravarthy might be included in Team India squads for the England ODI’s as well as for the Champions Trophy 2025. Chakravarthy has been impressive with the ball in the domestic games picking up 18 wickets from six games he played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Will Karun Nair And Devdutt Padikkal Make It To Team India Squad? Karun Nair and Devdutt Paddikkal have been fantastic with the bat during India’s recent domestic season. As of now, the Team India top order looks full, so it’s very unlikely for them to get picked. However, they might get a chance to feature in the 15 member squad. Team India Champions Trophy And England ODI’s Squad The Team India squad for the Champions Trophy and England ODi’s is expected to be out anytime today. Till then, let us know whom do you think can put on the India blue and hit the field. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
WPL 2025: BCCI Unveils Women’s Premier League 2025 Schedule
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the schedule for the third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The WPL 2025 will take place in four cities across India; Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Mumbai. WPL 2025 To Start In Baroda The WPL 2025 is set to commence on February 14, 2025 at the newly constructed BCA Stadium in Baroda, where Gujarat Giants (GG) are going to take on the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Six matches are going to be played in Baroda. Bengaluru To Host A Couple Of WPL 2025 Fixtures The next challenge now goes to Bengaluru as the tournament advances to the preliminary games from Baroda. RCB will host a home game at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on February 21, 2025 against the Mumbai Indians (MI). RCB has three home games after this against UP Warriorz (UPW) on February 24, 2025, followed by a fixture against Gujarat Giants (GG) on February 27, 2025 and lastly, against the Delhi Capitals on March 01, 2025. Lucknow To Witness WPL 2025 Action Lucknow will debut in the WPL 2025 as another venue. UP Warriorz will have three of their fixtures at their home ground Lucknow’s WPL 2025 debut is expected to add an additional excitement for locals. Mumbai To Hosts The Last Phase And The WPL 2025 Playoffs The last leg of the WPL 2025 will be held in Mumbai where the last two league matches along with the much-awaited play-offs will be played at the Cricket Club Of India (CCI) Brabourne Stadium. Mumbai Indians will finish their league stage schedule by playing back to back home games against the Gujarat Giants on March 10, 2025 and RCB on March 11, 2025. WPL 2025 Playoffs The conclusion of playoffs will be with a cliffhanger-type finale, where the top team will enjoy direct passage to the final. The second and third-ranked teams will compete on March 13, 2025 in an Eliminator, which will be a fantastic opportunity to survive to the championship match. The WPL 2025 grand finale will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, where the winner shall bag the prestigious WPL 2025 title. Single-Header Format For WPL 2025 As was the case in the previous seasons, all the matches in the third edition are going to be single-header fixtures, so every game is going to be of immense importance in the quest for supremacy. The WPL 2025 is going to be another exciting chapter in the growing legacy of women’s cricket in India, as there are diverse venues and teams eager to flaunt their skills. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Do You Know About These National Sports Awards In India?
The National Sports Awards to India are brought about by high talent, continuous hard work and dedication of the sportspersons, coaches and also organizations that greatly contribute to sports development in India. The sportsperson and sportsperson with a disability and the coach who is renowned and has an impact in their respective sport are honoured with the National Sports Awards by the Ministry Of Youth Affairs and Sports yearly. There are six core awards constituting the National Sports Awards. These include the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Award, the Dronacharya Award, the Major Dhyan Chand Award, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy or MAKA Trophy and the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar. Besides these important awards, there are other major awards instituted long ago too, in the year 1994, namely, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, the national honors conferment for achievements in the fields of adventure sports. 1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is Indian sports’ greatest pride. It was instituted in 1991-92 and rechristened in 2021 to be called after hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, honoring sportsmen or sportswomen who have done something outstanding in all disciplines for four consecutive years. A medallion, certificate and cash award accompany such honours. Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand was the first recipient of this award and since then, sporting icons like MC Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, Virat Kohli and Abhinav Bindra have been conferred with the award. Bindra, who won at 18, was the youngest ever winner and the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold in 2008, making the Khel Ratna one of the most prestigious awards. 2. Arjuna Award The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961, for which the statuette, as well as certificate and prize money, would be given by the Government for an outstanding achievement. It was previously known as India’s highest sporting honor before Khel Ratna. It gives out a four-year continuous exceptional performance. The first Arjuna Awardee was the footballer PK Banerjee and the tradition of honouring the athletes with the Arjuna Award is still alive today. 3. Dronacharya Award The Dronacharya Award was established in 1985 and it so happens that it is the highest recognition to coaches in India. It goes to coaches who have produced medal winners at the biggest international events. Named after the revered teacher of Arjuna in the Mahabharata, Dronacharya, this award brings to light the contributions of these coaches that paved the way to successful athletes. The first of them comprised names such as wrestling coach Bhalchandra Bhagwat and athletics coach OM Nambiar, mentor to the great PT Usha. 4. Major Dhyan Chand Award (Now Arjuna Award Lifetime) In 2024, India renamed its Major Dhyan Chand Award the Arjuna Award Lifetime in a bid to rationalize the sporting honours bestowed by the nation. This lifetime achievement award honors people who have made lasting contributions in their sport and recognizes outstanding achievements in sports. Formerly known as the Major Dhyan Chand Award, it honored career-long achievements and success of sportspeople and their impact on Indian sport. 5. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA Trophy) Named after the freedom fighter and the first education minister of India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the oldest National Sports Award instituted in the year 1956 is known by the name of MAKA Trophy. Presented to that university that does best in order to portray performance, MAKA Trophy presents importance at academic levels, for bringing new talent, which has to be groomed up well. And the Guru Nanak Dev University has been among one that did great all over its years of operations. 6. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was initiated in the year 2009 to motivate and recognize such organizations and persons who are trying to build up sports. Awards have been given in this scheme on several heads including scouting of talent, corporate social responsibility in sports, employment of sportspersons and sportspersons for social cause. Some may be sanctioned under this head during a particular year under these various heads. 7. Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award was instituted in 1994 and it is named after Tenzing Norgay, the first Indian to successfully conquer Mount Everest. Activities in this Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award include mountaineering, skydiving, sailing and open water swimming, to name a few. This award was categorized into four categories, namely: land adventure, water adventure, air adventure and lifetime achievement, since it gives credence to the adventure spirit, as well as to those individuals pushing their limits through extreme sports. National Sports Awards 2025 The National Sports Awards are set to take place on Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awardees are set to receive their awards from the President Of India, Sri. Droupadi Murmu. The Ministry Of Youth Affairs And Sports announces the national Sports Awards. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs first-ever CSR round table for sports development
New Delhi, January 15: With the objective of strengthening the Indian sports ecosystem in order to host the 2036 Olympic Games, Honourable Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya urged corporates to adopt one sport during the first-ever corporate round-table conference in the National Capital on Thursday. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized a vision to position India among the top five global sports performers by 2047, as the nation marks 100 years of independence. Aiming to bridge the gap between aspirations and execution, he stressed the critical role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in building sustainable sports infrastructure and talent development programs. He also proposed that PSUs from the Centre support state-level requirements to achieve sporting excellence. “Each corporate entity should focus on a single sport to ensure dedicated attention and optimal resource allocation, while also enabling effective athlete branding to align with CSR investments and promotional activities,” Dr. Mandaviya said. Apart from that, the Union Minister asked the corporates to contribute towards upgrading sports facilities in existing district-level schools in line with the District Level Sports Schools in Gujarat. He further spoke about developing Olympic Training Centres, sports academies, funding the training and coaching of Target Olympic Podium Scheme athletes and to be actively involved in the organisation of national leagues in disciplines where it is yet to be staged. More than 40 corporate houses and organisations working in the sports ecosystem shared their knowledge and opinion in a first-ever Open House session with the Sports Minister. Corporate bigwigs who attended the event lauded the initiative saying that it can become a gamechanger for the Indian Sports ecosystem. Speaking after the meeting, JSW Sports MD Parth Jindal said, “This is the first time that the honourable Sports Minister spent so much time with the corporate sector – almost three hours he spent. He wanted to understand our opinion, our view on how to take Indian sports forward. The government is already doing a lot of incredible work in sports and even the corporates are doing their bit but how to collaborate so that the athletes are happy and we can improve our medal tally at the 2036 Olympics.” ICICI Bank Non-Executive Chairman PK Sinha especially liked the concept of development of sports infrastructure in rural areas and opined, “Development of sports in rural areas is the need of the hour. It is heartening to see that the Indian government and our honourable Sports Minister is fully committed to improve the sports infrastructure in distant villages. A lot of raw talent resides in more than 6 lakh Indian villages. They need to be nurtured and motivated to play sports. ICICI Bank will be very pleased to have a further dialogue with officials to do what best we can for rural sports.” Dalmia Cement Bharat MD Puneet Dalmia also expressed his company’s interest in developing District Level Sports Schools, one of the key infrastructure development plans of the CSR partnership. “Being a father, I personally believe that engaging a young generation to play sports is of utmost importance with the kids spending almost 7-8 hours on mobile phones and tablets. If we want to produce a healthier and fitter generation, we have to penetrate into Tier 2/3 cities and towns, where sports is still not a priority. The Dalmia Group is present in 14 states and 27 cities and we would like to develop sports infrastructure at the district level,” Mr Dalmia said. The corporates can also become thematic partners for Khelo India mission, indigenous sports, para sports and sports for women programmes apart from the establishment of sports science centres and performance testing labs.