New Delhi: President of India, Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2023 to Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) in the category ‘Encouragement to Sports through Corporate Social Responsibility’ for its visible role in the promotion and development of sports.
Ace Mandarin, Balwant Singh, Managing Director, OMC received the award from the President of India at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on 9 January, 2024.
OMC, a wholly-owned corporation of the Government of Odisha, achieved this feat which is a testament to its exemplary role in promoting sports at grassroots, state, and national levels.
With the encouragement and support of Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik, towards sports and by following his visionary statement “Sports for Youth, Youth for Future”, OMC has supported the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha for the overall development of the sports in the state.
Notably, in collaboration with the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, OMC contributed significantly to Hockey India over the past five years and committed for the next ten years towards the immediate and long-term development of hockey in India. Another impactful initiative is the contribution of 3% of its net profit to the Sports and Youth Services Department for sports development in Odisha.
OMC has given employment to 12 sportspersons, supported budding athletes, facilitated infrastructure development across the state, and nurtured talent within local communities, thus creating a lasting impact on the sporting ecosystem of Odisha and the country as a whole.
The corporation remains committed to sports development and has contributed to establishing Odisha as the Sports Capital of the Country. This national accolade underscores OMC’s commitment to creating meaningful impacts beyond business realms.
The ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar’ is awarded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to corporate entities in the private and public sectors, Sports Control Boards, NGOs, and sports bodies at the state and national levels, recognizing their visible role in sports promotion and development.