Sundaragada: In less than a year since its launch, TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited’s (TPWODL) grassroots sports initiative has blown past its targets, enrolling over 500 young athletes across 40 rural villages in Sundaragada and propelling local talent directly onto state and national podiums.
Implemented in partnership with Trust of People (TOP) under TPWODL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) umbrella, the project was launched in August 2025 to identify, equip, and train promising rural youth in Football, Athletics, and Kho-Kho. Against a current phase target of 400 student-athletes, the programme has already registered 502 trainees, with girls accounting for over 40 percent of total enrolment, exceeding gender inclusion benchmarks. The initiative aims to help promising athletes represent the district, state and nation while creating pathways for admission to sports institutions and employment through sports quotas.
The project-supported athletes have achieved notable success across multiple sporting disciplines. The Girls’ Football Team emerged as Zonal Champions in the CM Trophy and later secured the Runner-up position in the Inter-Zonal Tournament, with several players earning selection to represent the Sundaragada District Team. In athletics, trainees qualified for the State Senior Athletics Championship at Barabati Stadium, Kataka, securing impressive performances in middle-distance races and high jump events.
The project’s Kho-Kho athletes secured Second Position in the Odisha Kho-Kho League, participated in High Performance Centre (HPC) trials, while one trainee represented Odisha in the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) Under-17 Championship held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Another trainee secured Third Position in the State-Level Kho-Kho Championship under the CM Trophy, further highlighting the project’s contribution towards developing competitive sporting talent from rural Sundaragada.
Speaking on the initiative, Parveen Verma, CEO, TPWODL, said, “Our commitment to community development extends beyond providing reliable power. We are equally committed to empowering young minds and building stronger communities through meaningful CSR initiatives. The success of the Sports Promotion Project reflects the immense untapped talent that exists in rural Odisha, and TPWODL will continue to support platforms that inspire excellence, promote inclusion and create opportunities for the next generation.”
Since its launch in August 2025, the project provides structured coaching sessions are being conducted across 40 villages, averaging 25 coaching days every month. alongside essential sports gear, including jerseys, football boots, and athletics spikes. To date, 223 complete sports kits have been distributed to deserving athletes.
Beyond training, the project establishes pathways for long-term career growth by helping athletes secure admissions into sports academies and access employment opportunities under sports quotas. TPWODL and TOP remain committed to further expanding the project, strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure, and nurturing Sundaragada’s next generation of champions.
TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited is a joint venture between Tata Power and the Government of Odisha, with a 51:49 shareholding respectively. TPWODL is responsible for electricity distribution and retail supply across western Odisha, serving more than 2 million consumers across nine districts.