Jindal Steel Ltd., through its CSR arm Jindal Foundation, is rewriting the story of rural and tribal youth in India, harnessing the power of sports as a catalyst for social empowerment and transformation. Over 30,000 young athletes have benefited from its initiatives, securing more than 720 medals at national and international levels—proof that when opportunity meets talent, extraordinary outcomes emerge. By aligning with India’s “Khelo India” mission, the Foundation has created a sustainable model that combines training, mentorship, and world-class infrastructure, ensuring underprivileged athletes receive the support they need to thrive.
From developing playgrounds and sports complexes to establishing stadiums and a dedicated sports hostel, Jindal Foundation provides not just coaching but holistic care, including nutrition and sports equipment, to nurture talent from the grassroots.
In hockey, as a Global Partner of FIH, the Foundation has extended its reach to 5,000 tribal and rural players, including 172 girls in Tensa who receive professional coaching and nutritional support, opening doors to new opportunities. Football has flourished through the OP Jindal Football Tournaments in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, impacting 6,500 young players, while the OP Jindal Cricket Academy in Raigarh trains over 300 boys and girls, facilitating participation for more than 2,000 athletes in over 200 matches, including 15 visually impaired players, 13 of whom have advanced to state and district teams. Martial arts have seen remarkable success, with more than 2,000 Wushu athletes like Swetarani Mahanta, Prem Munda, Raj Kumar Munda, Ramnesh Munda in Keonjhar winning 11 international in Barzil, Moscow, Brunei, China, and 721 national or state-level medals. In archery, 50 girls in Tensa are fully supported with training, equipment, and nutrition, producing national medalists such as Sanjali Oram, who won bronze at the 2025 Open National Archery Championship. Inclusive sports initiatives further demonstrate the Foundation’s commitment to equity, as 50 para-athletes at Jindal ASHA centres in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand achieve global recognition in arm-wrestling, bocce, cycling, football, and powerlifting.
The Foundation’s “Nourishing Sports Talent of Rural and Tribal Youth” project is underpinned by a robust monitoring framework that combines surveys, stakeholder engagement, real-time tracking, and participatory evaluation to ensure transparency, measure impact, and continuously enhance outcomes. Recent achievements include the establishment of a sports hostel in Barbil, Odisha, for 60 tribal children, the creation of a world-class stadium in Raigarh, the development of 20 playgrounds, three additional stadiums, and 15 rural gyms, as well as the expansion of cricket and multi-sport platforms across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. These efforts have enabled hundreds of young athletes to excel in disciplines including football, hockey, cricket, badminton, Wushu, archery, kabaddi, kho-kho, and para-sports.
Beyond medals and tournaments, the long-term impact of Jindal Foundation’s initiatives is profound. By fostering inclusion, discipline, and career pathways, the Foundation is producing rural and tribal champions, building sustainable sporting ecosystems, and driving holistic social development. In empowering youth through sports, Jindal Steel Ltd. is not only nurturing future athletes but also catalyzing social change, ensuring that India’s underprivileged youth are equipped to achieve excellence and transform their communities. Guided by the visionary leadership of Shri Naveen Jindal, Hon’ble Chairman, Jindal Steel Ltd., and Smt. Shallu Jindal, Esteemed Chairperson, Jindal Foundation, the company is not just nurturing athletes—it is shaping future leaders, igniting dreams, and transforming the lives of rural and tribal youth across India. Their unwavering commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and excellence ensures that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to rise, shine, and make a lasting mark on the national and global sporting stage.
