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| Shri Kiren Rijiju calls upon corporates, PSUs to be stakeholders in India’s dream of becoming a sports powerhouse; SBI contributes Rs.5 crore to National Sports Development Fund for Olympic-bound athletes |
NEW DELHI (Lampe):- The Central Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports ShriKiren Rijiju has urged
corporate India and leading Public Sector Units to come forward to contribute
to the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) as part of their corporate
social responsibility, in a bid to strengthen the sports ecosystem of the
country, and to be stakeholders in India's journey towards becoming a sports
powerhouse.
Among the first to chip into this contributory fund this year, is the
State Bank of India, which has made a contribution of Rs. 5 crores to NSDF on
Friday, January 8, with the primary aim of meeting the needs and requirements
of elite athletes supported under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
The total contribution made by corporates, PSUs, and individuals to NSDF is matched equally by the Government of India and the fund is used to promote sports in general and specific sports disciplines for achieving excellence at the national and international level, as well as to impart special training and coaching in relevant sports disciplines to sportspersons, coaches, and sports specialists.
Speaking at the event, Shri. Rijiju said, “I thank SBI for its generous
contribution and assure the team that every penny will be used wisely to
strengthen the journey of our Olympic-bound athletes this year. I also take
this opportunity to appeal to all PSUs, corporates, and individuals to come
forward and contribute to the NSDF and be stakeholders in India’s journey to
becoming a sporting powerhouse. The government is doing all it can to create a
robust sporting ecosystem. However, the government cannot achieve this alone.
We need to work as a team so as to realize India’s long term dream of being
among the Top 10 nations in the 2028 Olympics. These voluntary contributions
will ensure that an equal amount is matched by the Finance Ministry and the
fund can be used judiciously in supporting our athletes.
Speaking about the initiative, SBI Chairman, Shri. Dinesh Khara, who presented the cheque for Rs 5 crore to the Sports Minister said, “It is a matter of great pride for SBI to be able to contribute towards the support of elite athletes under the TOPS Scheme in the year of Olympics. This year our athletes will be competing on the world stage, and as a responsible corporate citizen we feel it is our duty to strengthen them in every way possible.”
Currently, 105 athletes have
been selected in the TOPS core group for the 2021 Olympics in the disciplines
of Athletics, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Shooting, Tennis, Table Tennis,
Badminton, Para-Athletics, Para-Badminton, Para-Shooting, Archery, and Boxing,
the funding though NSDF to TOPS will be used for the training of Olympic-bound
athletes.
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