Bhubaneswar: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) – a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, two of the world’s leading steelmakers – Sunday announced an agreement with Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company (OSDPC), a state government body, to become the Principal Team Sponsor of the state’s Kho Kho franchise, the Odisha Juggernauts, for the second edition of Ultimate Kho Kho League. Earlier in 2022, AM/NS Indiahad partnered as the principal team sponsor of the team, which clinched the title of the inaugural edition of Ultimate Kho Kho. The continued sponsorship stems from the company’s belief in the team and is also an extension of the company’s support and commitment to advance sporting excellence in Odisha and India.
The defending champions, Odisha Juggernauts, will participate in the national tournament that commences on December 24, 2023, and will be played at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Cuttack.
The agreement was signed by Keiji Kubota, Deputy Director, HR & Administration, AM/NS India; and Ranjit Parida, joint secretary, department of sports, as well as director of OSDPC.
India’s first-ever professional Kho Kho League, Ultimate Kho Kho, was launched in 2022 with an objective to modernise and popularise the game, one of the oldest forms of outdoor sport in India. The league aims to promote Kho Kho as an ancient sport and give its best players prospects for professional careers.
On the partnership Odisha sports secretary R Vineel Krishna said, “Our team Odisha Juggernauts’ winning performance in the first edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho was highly inspiring. We are glad to again have AM/NS India as our partner for the second edition. This year the league is taking place in Odisha and people of our state can witness in person the speed, agility and thrill of this unique ancient sport of India.”
On the occasion, Keiji Kubota, Deputy Director, HR & Administration, AM/NS India, said, “AM/NS India strongly believes in the power of sports as a medium to groom and develop our youth and create a better world.The various initiatives of the Odisha Government for promotion of sports are highly laudable. We take pride in partnering with them in several sporting initiatives like hockey, gymnastics, kho kho. As the Team Sponsor of Odisha Juggernauts in the first edition of Ultimate Kho Kho in 2022, we were thrilled and proud of their winning performance. We firmly believe in the team and are again backing them as the Team Sponsor for the second edition. We wish the team Odisha Juggernauts the very best and look forward to their continued excellent show.”
