New Delhi, 13 October (H.S.): The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have joined hands to strengthen Indian boxing. Under the partnership, Indian Oil will invest Rs 40 crore over the next two years. The funds will be utilised for talent identification, athlete development, coaching, sports science, international exposure and strengthening boxing academies.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya described the partnership as a significant step towards increasing corporate participation in the development of sports in the country.

He said the government was deepening its collaboration with corporate partners under the revised Khelo India scheme, adding that investments through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives would help build a nationwide sports ecosystem.

Corporates Urged to Support All Sports

Mandaviya said the agreement would help ensure greater participation of the corporate sector in sports. He emphasised that corporate organisations should extend their support to every sporting discipline, not just boxing.

“Corporate organisations should come forward and support every sport, not just boxing. Sports need support during their initial and developmental stages. Once a sporting ecosystem begins to take shape, it gradually becomes capable of sustaining itself and attracting investment,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of investing in talent identification, equipment, sports science, infrastructure, coach development and referee training to build a comprehensive boxing ecosystem.

Focus on Coaching, Sports Science and Academies

The agreement seeks to combine Indian Oil’s Corporate Social Responsibility support, the National Sports Development Fund’s role in mobilising resources and the Sports Authority of India’s technical expertise.

The partnership is expected to help provide boxers with improved coaching, scientific support, better training facilities and greater opportunities to compete at national and international levels. It will also focus on enhancing the capabilities of coaches, referees and technical officials.

The partnership comes at a time when Indian boxers have won six medals at the 2026 Asian Games, including three gold and three bronze medals. The initiative aims to build on this performance and establish a robust development pathway for both emerging and elite-level boxers.

Sports Included in CSR Framework for Public Sector Enterprises

The memorandum of understanding was signed following the inclusion of sports as a distinct area under the Department of Public Enterprises’ common Corporate Social Responsibility thematic framework. The move is being viewed as an important initiative to expand corporate participation in sports development.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Sports Minister Mandaviya. Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, senior officials of the Sports Ministry, Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh and Indian Oil Director (Human Resources) Rashmi Govil were also present on the occasion.

The Government of India established the National Sports Development Fund in 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890. The fund facilitates the mobilisation of resources from individuals and corporate organisations for the development of sports. It supports initiatives related to athlete development, sports infrastructure, academies, specialised coaching, equipment and international exposure.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar