Team News Riveting
New Delhi, September 7
Coal India Limited (CIL) today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Sports under the youth and sports ministry to contribute Rs 75 crore towards the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).
Country’s largest coal miner would be contributing the money from its corporate social responsibility head.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said that the valuable contribution by Coal India to NSDF has come at an appropriate time in the backdrop of unprecedented performance by the sportspersons at the recent Olympics and Paralympics. Appreciating the initiative of Coal India, the Minister added that with this a part of the funds generated from mining of coal will go to chisel the sportspersons into ‘diamonds’ that deliver a podium finish.
Thakur said that the fund would be used to promote sports in general and specific sports disciplines for achieving excellence at the national and international level. It will also judiciously applied for modernization and development of infrastructure. In the previous years, a number of PSUs have generously contributed to NSDF.
“The sports academies under SAI and LNIPE needed more hostels for the benefit of athletes. Coal India Ltd’s endeavor to contribute substantial funds of Rs.75 crore towards construction of three hostels for sports athletes will bring ease of training and enhanced facilities,” Thakur added.
The Minister said that the signing of MOU for construction of three hostels at SAI academies at Bangalore, Bhopal and LNIPE Gwalior will strengthen the bond between the Department of Sports / NSDF and Coal India Ltd. The Minister proposed that Sports Authority of India and Coal India Limited should jointly set up a Sports Academy for furthering the cause of sporting culture in the country.
Minister of state for youth affairs and sports Nisith Pramanik said that Coal India Ltd had always supported the culture of competitive sports in India. He assured that the funds provided by CIL will be used judiciously and the project will be completed in a time bound manner.
Sports Secretary Ravi Mittal said that with the construction of hostels in these three academies, it will be possible to hold national coaching camps at these three locations. He urged Coal India to continue their valuable support to NSDF in the future also.
Contribution to NSDF has mainly come from PSUs and PSBs. As on 31.03.2021, total CSR contributions received are Rs 170 crore and Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has made a contribution of Rs 164 crore its matching share.
From this fund, the Ministry has given assistance to organizations for infrastructure and setting up of academies, Assistance to sportspersons for their customized training and to Sports Authority of India (SAI) for athletes covered in Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
