LANJIGARH, OCT 16
Supported by Vedanta Lanjigarh, two young archers – Khirod Kumar and Omkar Majhi – from Kalahandi have won gold and silver medals respectively, at the CBSE Archery Championship 2024, held in Raipur. The duo participated in the east zonal-level competition alongside over 200 exceptional athletes.
Khirod and Omkar have been training under the Vedanta Sports Initiative for the past three years. This initiative aims to nurture young talent from rural communities by creating a holistic sporting ecosystem that includes comprehensive training opportunities, team uniforms, advanced equipment, and sponsorship access for various competitions. These resources have enabled participants to qualify for major championship events. Since its launch in 2018, the Vedanta Sports Initiative has trained over 100 archers, with 50 per cent being girls. Collectively, these athletes have won over 40 medals, and more than 20 have represented Odisha at national championships.
Reaffirming the company’s commitment to nurturing budding sports talent, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO – Alumina Business, Vedanta Ltd. said, “It is a moment of immense pride to witness the remarkable achievements of our young athletes, many of whom have persevered against adverse socio-economic circumstances to excel in sports. Kalahandi, known for its rich socio-cultural heritage, is home to exceptional youth demonstrating incredible sportsmanship. As a company dedicated to creating opportunities for the development of rural youth, we are contributing to the larger vision of producing world-class athletes who can represent India on the global stage.”
