Indian Oil commits Rs 40 crore to strengthen boxing ecosystem in India

New Delhi: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Indian Oil) will invest Rs 40 crore over two years to strengthen India's boxing ecosystem under a partnership with the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The partnership aims to support talent identification, athlete development, coaching, sports science, international exposure and the strengthening of boxing academies across the country. It will also focus on capacity building for coaches, referees and technical officials.

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A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on October 13 in the presence of Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao, Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh and Indian Oil Director (HR) Rashmi Govil, among other senior officials.

Mandaviya said the government was deepening collaboration with corporate partners under the revamped Khelo India Scheme, with corporate social responsibility (CSR)-backed partnerships expected to help build a national sports ecosystem.

He called for greater corporate participation across sports, emphasising that financial assistance must be complemented by investments in equipment, sports science, training facilities, coaching and the development of referees.

The agreement follows the inclusion of sports as a dedicated thematic area under the Department of Public Enterprises' Common CSR Theme Framework, a move aimed at encouraging greater corporate investment in sports development.

Under the arrangement, Indian Oil's CSR support will be combined with NSDF's role in mobilising resources for sports development and SAI's technical expertise. The programme is expected to provide boxers with access to quality coaching, scientific support, training facilities and competitive opportunities at national and international levels.

The initiative comes after Indian boxers won six medals, including three gold and three bronze, at the Asian Games 2026. The partnership aims to build on this performance by strengthening the development pathway for emerging and elite athletes.

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Established by the Government of India in 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890, NSDF facilitates the mobilisation of resources from individuals and corporate organisations for sports development. Its activities include supporting athlete development, sports infrastructure, academies, specialised coaching, equipment and international exposure through partnerships with public and private sector organisations.

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