The Jindal Foundation, the social arm of Jindal Steel, has been awarded the prestigious FICCI Special Appreciation Award 2025 as a “Socially Responsible Company for Promotion of Sports.” The award was presented by Padma Bhushan Ms. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson, FICCI Aditya Birla CSR Centre of Excellence, in recognition of the Foundation’s commitment to promoting sports at the grassroots level, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
The Jindal Foundation has been actively involved in identifying and nurturing young talent, investing in infrastructure, and creating pathways for local athletes to access national and international opportunities. The Foundation’s sports initiatives span across several regions, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, where it has made significant investments in community development.
Through its sports initiative, thousands of rural athletes have received coaching, equipment, scholarships, and exposure to competitive platforms. The Foundation has also facilitated training camps in various sports, including martial arts, archery, athletics, football, and hockey, with a special focus on promoting participation among girls and specially-abled athletes.
Over the years, the Jindal Foundation has nourished more than 30,000 sports talents through its CSR projects and has built multiple sports infrastructures in villages, small towns, and district headquarters. These infrastructures include playgrounds, indoor and outdoor coaching centers, sports galleries, swimming pools, and world-class facilities in major stadiums.
The award is a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to promoting inclusive sports culture across India. Ms. Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of the Jindal Foundation, expressed her gratitude and said that the award inspires the Foundation to further intensify its efforts in promoting sports. Prashant Hota, President & Group Head – CSR & Education, Jindal Steel, added that the award is a tribute to the Foundation’s grassroots partners, coaches, and the thousands of young athletes whose stories of resilience inspire the mission every day.
The Jindal Foundation’s model integrates sports with education, health, and gender empowerment, ensuring that its programs create sustainable impact. The Foundation is committed to promoting grassroots sporting talents and making India future-ready to win international laurels. The award from FICCI is a recognition of the Foundation’s efforts in nation-building through sports, and it will continue to inspire the Foundation to work towards its goal of empowering youth from all sections of society.