CSR Dashboard

Tag: #GrassrootsSports

  • HCLFoundation’s Sports for Change National Finals empower 600 athletes

    HCLFoundation’s Sports for Change National Finals empower 600 athletes

    HCLFoundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of HCLTech, on Tuesday said it hosted the eighth edition of the Sports for Change National Finals 2026 at Gautam Buddha University, bringing together 600 young athletes from 15 states over three days.

    The Sports for Change National Finals empower grassroots talent by giving underserved children a platform to compete at the national level, the foundation said in a statement.

    The three-day event featured 300 boys and 300 girls who had qualified through district, state and zonal competitions in football, kabaddi, volleyball, kho kho, archery, badminton and table tennis.

    Participants represented states and union territories including Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim and Nagaland, the foundation said.

    “At HCLFoundation, we believe every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and pursue their aspirations,” said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Senior Vice President, Global CSR at HCLTech and Director of HCLFoundation.

    “By nurturing grassroots talent and fostering an environment where young athletes are encouraged to dream bigger, build resilience and strive for excellence, we hope the National Finals inspire every participant to realize that their circumstances need not define their future.”

    The Sports for Change programme has reached more than 74,000 children and youth across India since inception, including 474 para-athletes, the foundation said.

    More than 12,000 young athletes took part in this year’s competitions, and over 30 sports scholarships covering coaching, equipment, nutrition and training access will be awarded to top performers.

    The initiative has enabled more than 490 athletes to advance to national-level competitions, with 38 going on to represent India internationally, the foundation said.

    Notable alumni include badminton player Jerlin Anika, sprinter Preeti Pal, rugby player Akshaya, powerlifter Rajkumari and chess player Kanishri.

    HCLFoundation said it has positively impacted more than 8.5 million lives to date through programmes focused on education, grassroots sports, health, sanitation, skill development, livelihood and environmental initiatives.

    HCLTech, its parent company, employs more than 223,000 people across 60 countries and reported consolidated revenues of USD 14.8 billion for the 12 months ended June 2026.

  • Signify Khel Jyoti illuminates Haryana’s sports future

    Signify Khel Jyoti illuminates Haryana’s sports future

    Signify, the world leader in lighting, has illuminated four Kabaddi and Kho-Kho training centers across rural Haryana under its flagship CSR initiative, Signify Khel Jyoti, in a move designed to transform grassroots sports development across one of India’s most sports-rich states.

    The intervention, timed ahead of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, deploys industry-leading energy-efficient LED sports lighting to extend usable training hours beyond sunset, improve athlete safety, and drive inclusive participation — particularly among women and youth.

    “Sport has the power to bring communities together and create opportunities for young talent, especially in underserved regions,” said Nikhil Gupta, Head of Strategy & Marketing, Signify, Greater India.

    “Through Signify Khel Jyoti, we are enabling access to safe and inclusive sporting spaces by improving infrastructure at the grassroots level.”

    The centers were identified through a structured selection process in partnership with JSW Sports and Haryana Steelers, prioritizing active training ecosystems, coaching support, and long-term community impact. Ground-level execution was managed by Pro Sport Development.

    Divyanshu Singh, CEO of JSW Sports and Haryana Steelers, said the initiative unlocks significant potential at the grassroots level. “In a state like Haryana, where Kabaddi is part of everyday life, extending training hours and improving safety can directly influence participation and performance,” he said.

    The newly illuminated centers have historically produced athletes who have gone on to represent India at the highest levels, including the Pro Kabaddi League. Officials report increased enrollment across age groups, with a notable early rise in girls’ participation.

    The Haryana project forms part of a broader national effort: Signify Khel Jyoti has now illuminated over 200 grassroots sports centers across India, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable sports ecosystem through the power of light.