Bhubaneswar: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has signed an agreement with Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company (OSDPC), a state government body, to become Principal Team Sponsor of the ‘Odisha Juggernauts’.
The state’s Kho Kho franchise, Odisha Juggernauts, will participate in the inaugural Ultimate Kho Kho League, a national tournament that will start in Pune, Maharashtra on August 14.
The agreement was signed by Shingo Nakamura, Deputy Director, HR & Administration, AM/NS India and Ranjit Parida, Joint Secretary, Sports and Director of OSDPC, according to a release of the company.
India’s first-ever professional Kho Kho League has been launched with an objective to popularise the game, one of the oldest forms of outdoor sport in India. The introduction of professional league has comes amid a resurgence of Kho Kho across South Asia and in countries like England and South Africa.
AM/NS India, a joint venture of the world’s leading steelmakers ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, was the official partner of the Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup tournament hosted by Odisha in Bhubaneswar in 2021.
Speaking on the partnership in Odisha Juggernauts, R Vineel Krishna, secretary, Sports and Yoputh Services and chairman of OSDPC said, “The Odisha government has taken up the development of sports as a key thrust area and there have been some remarkable achievements in terms of infrastructure development, hosting of events and sponsoring sports and sportspersons. Our players are also performing exceptionally well at the national level in indigenous sports like Kho Kho.”
Shingo Nakamura, Deputy Director, HR & Administration, AM/NS India said, “AM/NS India believes that sport is a fundamental and integral part of society. We are proud to partner with the Government of Odisha in its maiden venture into professional Kho Kho and are confident that the new national league will go a long way in growing interest and participation in the sport across India and Odisha, especially among young people.”
