Bhubaneswar, 24/07/25: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, through its flagship Sports Training Initiative in Lanjigarh has been supporting young archers from Kalahandi district. Khirod Kumar, a young archer from the region bagged two gold and one bronze medal at the prestigious CBSE East Zonal Archery Championship held in Kolkata. Competing in the Under-19 Indian round category, Khirod displayed remarkable focus and precision to emerge as a top performer. A dedicated student-athlete, he has previously secured five gold medals at the National School Archery Championship and has been receiving structured coaching under Vedanta’s Archery Training Initiative for the past three years.
Speaking on the occasion, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya – CEO, Vedanta Alumina Business, said, “Khirod’s achievements is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of our grassroots sports initiatives. 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 identifies and nurtures sporting talent from underserved communities, offering expert-led coaching in archery and athletics, along with access to quality equipment and training infrastructure. The company also facilitates their participation in various competitions across the country. To date, more than 100 young archers have been trained under the programme, collectively winning 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.
