Joda/Barbil: Athletes from Jindal Sports Hostel brought pride to Odisha at the 38th National Games held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, from January 28 to February 1, 2025. Bablu Munda (48 kg men’s) won gold, while Manju Munda (45 kg women’s) secured silver in Wushu.
Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, lauded their achievement on social media, calling it a proud moment for the state. Deputy Chief Minister Ms. Prabhati Parida and Sports Minister Suryavanshi Suraj also extended their congratulations.
The Sports Minister emphasized that this victory will further strengthen Odisha’s sports culture.
Chairperson of Jindal Foundation, Ms. Shalu Jindal, praised the success, stating, “This achievement reflects their hard work and dedication. Jindal Foundation remains committed to nurturing rural and tribal talents.”
Jindal Sports Hostel, established and run by the Jindal Foundation, the social arm of Naveen Jindal led Jindal Steel and Power, provides top-class sports and educational facilities in the CBSE curriculum to 60 underprivileged yet talented athletes in the tribal-dominated Barbil region. The hostel is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including comfortable accommodations, modern sports equipment, a fourth-generation gym, and a dedicated sports training facility with experienced coaches. The Foundation also provides students with food, nutrition and physical fitness training. Their outstanding performance at the National Games highlights the Foundation’s commitment to youth development.Through a strong partnership with the Odisha State Wushu Association, the foundation has significantly promoted Wushu and Kickboxing in Keonjhar.
Several athletes nourished in Jindal Sports Hostel have won laurels from Russia, China, Indonesia, Brunei and other foreign countries. By supporting sports like Wushu, Kickboxing, Hockey, Cricket, Football, and Archery, Jindal Foundation has positively impacted over 30,000 rural and tribal athletes, bringing glory to Odisha.
