Bhubaneswar: Khirod Kumar, a talented young archer from the Kalahandi district, has once again brought laurels to the region by securing two gold and one bronze medal at the prestigious CBSE East Zonal Archery Championship in Kolkata. Competing in the Under-19 Indian round category, Khirod’s remarkable focus and precision were key to his outstanding performance.
Khirod’s success is a testament to his dedication and the impact of Vedanta Aluminium’s flagship Sports Training Initiative in Lanjigarh. A committed student-athlete, he has been receiving structured coaching under this program for the past three years, during which he has also clinched five gold medals at the National School Archery Championship.
Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO of Vedanta Alumina Business, emphasized the company’s commitment to nurturing rural talent. “Khirod’s achievement is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of our grassroots sports initiatives,” he stated. “At Vedanta, we are deeply committed to empowering rural youth through sports, fostering discipline, confidence, and national pride. We are proud of Khirod’s dedication and talent, and we remain committed to nurturing many more such champions from Kalahandi.”
Launched in 2018, Vedanta’s Sports Training Initiative is dedicated to identifying and nurturing sporting talent from underserved communities. The program provides expert-led coaching in archery and athletics, along with access to quality equipment and training infrastructure. It also facilitates participants’ involvement in various competitions nationwide. To date, the initiative has trained over 100 young archers, who collectively won 40 medals at state and national championships in the last year alone.
Vedanta Aluminium remains steadfast in its mission to create meaningful opportunities for young athletes in rural India, helping them unlock their full potential and contribute to the nation’s rising profile in global sports.