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Sunil Chettri in action for Bengaluru FCSport in India is often marred by controversies and so, often we hear a lot more about the wrongs than the rights. However, one look at reality and it tells us a slightly different story.The grassroots which are much-talked in any sport has always been an area of focus for India and some of the big cooperate giants, over the years, have played a crucial role in identifying some future stars.Here are 6 firms who have helped in the development of sport in India:Note: A few other firms who didn't make the cut were Coca-Cola, Star Sports and Indian Railways.
#6 IDBI Federal Life Insurance
Jeff Thomson with Dilip Vengsarkar
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The IDBI Federal Life Insurance are perhaps are a new entrant into the world of sports, but already seem to be heading in the right direction. The last year 12 months has seen them host marathons in various cities across India and as recently as last month, they also staged the second edition of the Kolkata marathon.
The firm has also made a foray into cricket, by launching a bowling foundation in association with the Karnataka State Cricket Association(KSCA) as well as the Mumbai Cricket Association(MCA) and also roped in former Australian pacer Jeff Thomson along with former India cricketers Roger Binny and Raghuram Bhatt.
#5 IMG-Reliance
Satnam Singh Bhamara trained at the IMG Reliance Academy for 5 years before making the cut into the NBA
The International Management Group(IMG), in collaboration with Reliance, have certainly played a vital role in the development of sport in India. The conception and further staging of the Indian Super League(ISL) has been one of the most significant developments in Indian football history and it definitely has helped both the established Indian names as well as the youngsters in understanding and learning from the way some of the overseas professionals play and approach the game.
#4 Gas Authority of India Ltd.
The Fastest Indian initiative of GAIL is certainly a positive initiative
One of the seven companies to be conferred with the Maharatna status, the Gas Authority of India(GAIL), along with being the country's leading natural gas processing and distribution company, have also played a key role in the development of sport, especially in the field of athletics.
#3 Dempo
Dempo S.C play their home matches at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao
For an average football fan in India, the mention of the word Dempo would make them think about football. The Dempo Sports Club was founded in the year 1967 and ever since then have been one of the most successful teams in the history of the Indian club football.
Dempo S.C has won a total of 5 I-League titles, 1 Durand and Federation Cup crowns and 4 Goa Cup titles. In addition to tasting success at home, the firm also have a technical partnership with Danish club FC Midtjylland(FCM) and the FCM Academy has played a key role in the development and further success of players like Sion Kjaer, Winston Reid, Sune Kilreich and Sekou Oliseh, each of whom have represented various clubs across Europe.
Dempo. S.C play their home matches in Margao.
#2 The Tata Group
The JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur
The Tata group of companies may be known for its range of automobiles but over the years, they have made an equally significant contribution in the field of sports as well. The state of Jharkhand has seen three academies each for Football, Archery and for Adventure Sports, the third of which has Bachendri Pal as its head.
Jamshedpur also has the JRD Tata Sports Complex, which is a 40000 seater venue that can hold as many as 7 sports such as athletics, archery, boxing, basketball, volleyball, boxing, tennis.
The Tata group also organise various tournaments in different sports like the Tata Open Indian International Challenge, the Tata Open Golf, the Tata National Archery Ranking Tournament, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, the TCS New York City Marathon, the TCS World 10k Run etc.
Over a period of time, the efforts put in by the firm have helped India produce as many 5 Olympic medalists, 6 World Championships medalists, 4 Commonwealth Games medalists and 36 Asian Games medalists.
One can rest assure that if they continue to promote sports like they have been doing so, then more champions are certainly on their way.
#1 The JSW Group
The Kanteerava Stadium plays host to the home matches of Bengaluru FC
Over the years, the JSW group have become one of the better cooperates to have contributed immensely to the development of Indian sport. The firm has been playing a key role in the growth of multiple sports that include three racquet sports, namely squash, badminton and table tennis and swimming, assembling academies for each of them to help in the grooming of the next generation.
The company has also bought a few teams in two different leagues- the Bengaluru FC franchise in football and the Bengaluru Yodhas side in the Pro Wrestling League. Jindal Steel Works also sponsor the some of the tournaments in the national squash circuit, including tri-city Indian challenger that takes place in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. 2017 will also see them take a plunge in hockey as they are set to be the 1st team from the South of India to feature in the Hockey India League.
Courtesy their Sports Excellence Program, they also support several athletes from different sports like OP Jaisha in track and field and Narsingh Yadav and Geeta Phogat in Wrestling etc.
