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Tag: National Sports Day

  • Bank of Baroda launches “Sab Mein Hai Khiladi” campaign

    Bank of Baroda launches “Sab Mein Hai Khiladi” campaign

    Mumbai:  On National Sports Day, Bank of Baroda undertakes various sports, fitness, and environmental activities such as walkathons, group sports competitions, and tree plantation drives across the country to promote a healthier, more active, and environmentally conscious community. The Bank also launches the “Sab Mein Hai Khiladi” campaign to recognise and celebrate the athletic spirit within every employee. India celebrates National Sports Day on 29 August, commemorating the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

    The “Sab Mein Hai Khiladi” campaign features three of India’s well-known athletes and Bank of Baroda’s endorsers: badminton legend PV Sindhu, cricket star Shafali Verma, and rising tennis player Sumit Nagal. These sporting stars join the Bank’s own athletes, including 50 employees who are sportspersons and play an integral role in the campaign. As part of the campaign, the Bank organises several sporting activities for employees, including table tennis, basketball, cycling, and arm wrestling, where employees earn points. The campaign also includes a fitness challenge and a sports-themed trivia contest, with top winners getting an exclusive meet-and-greet session with their sporting idols and exciting prizes.

    Bank of Baroda Executive Director, Shri Sanjay Vinayak Mudaliar states, “On National Sports Day, we share the message that the spirit of a ‘khiladi’ resides in all of us. Sports help us stay physically and mentally fit and active and teach us important lessons in hard work, perseverance, integrity, teamwork, and sportsmanship—values that matter both on and off the field. This National Sports Day, Bank of Baroda rekindles the champion within us all.”

    Employees across the Bank also take the ‘Fit India Pledge’ to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

  • IndusInd Bank reminisces its contribution to sports on National Sports Day

    IndusInd Bank reminisces its contribution to sports on National Sports Day

    Mumbai:  On the occasion of National Sports Day, IndusInd Bank takes a moment to reflect on its remarkable journey in supporting sports and athletes across diverse disciplines. Back in 2016, the Bank inaugurated its non-banking sports vertical, ‘IndusInd ForSports,’ with the vision of assimilating sports as a pivotal, inherent, and strategic component for both its internal and external stakeholders. Leveraging the unparalleled influence of sports to captivate, rally, and motivate, ‘IndusInd ForSports strives to unearth the finest aspects of sportsmanship—embracing human values, fostering inclusivity, and championing sustainability.

    ‘IndusInd ForSports’ encompasses various programs that empower Indian athletes and support inclusive sports, at large:

    Para Champions Programme –  The Para Champions Programme, launched in FY 2015-16 in partnership with GoSports Foundation to transform Para Sports in India, supports 45 para-athletes from 13 states and 3 union territories across 10 disciplines, providing comprehensive assistance for their sporting journeys, including equipment, training, sports science, nutrition, expertise and travel.

    IndusInd Blind Cricket Programme – In 2016, the Bank in partnership with CABI, the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust, commenced this programme supporting the Indian Blind Cricket Team and 700+ blind cricketers (men & women) at the State and District level.

    IndusInd Girl Power Programme – Launched in 2017 in partnership with Inspire Institute of Sport, this programme supports 31 woman athletes from 7 states in the field of Judo and has helped India win its first-ever gold medal at the World Judo Cadet Championships.

    IndusInd Athlete and Mentor Programme – Launched in 2019 in partnership with the Mann Deshi Foundation, this programme supports 60 athletes (from Nomadic tribes/backward castes) in Satara district in Maharashtra, across 3 disciplines (field hockey, athletics and wrestling). In FY 2023-24, the Bank will support 30 above-district-level female athletes in the field of wrestling, athletics, field hockey and swimming, with unparalleled sports training expertise and need-based interventions along with advanced training of 20 Physical Education teachers.

    IndusInd Inclusive Squash Programme – IndusInd Inclusive Squash program – Launched in 2023 in partnership with START Foundation, this program supports 25 Tribal girls in the sport of Squash. These athletes are from economically and historically disadvantaged communities.

    The Bank’s initiatives have met with significant success and have contributed to the growth of sports in India, inspiring a brighter and more inclusive future for athletes across disciplines. In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the India contingent won a total of 19 medals, out of which eight medals were won by athletes supported under the Para Champions Programme presented/supported by the bank. The Bank is also proud to mention that both the Indian Blind Cricket Teams supported by the Bank continued their good run at the IBSA World Blind Games in Birmingham, UK. While the Women’s Team remained unbeaten to win Gold, the Men’s Team won Silver. Furthermore, recognizing the significance of physical well-being and its beneficial effects on people and the workplace, the Bank has actively promoted health and fitness within the organization. With its employee engagement initiative titled ‘Get Set Run’ launched in 2016, the Bank has endeavoured to inculcate an active lifestyle and promote running with the objective of having a healthy workforce and has witnessed encouraging participation from its employees.

    IndusInd Bank advocates both inclusivity and sporting excellence through its programs, encouraging diverse participation and supporting talented athletes across backgrounds. The Bank’s focus extends beyond promoting talent; it also strives to foster a sense of national pride through its sporting achievements. As National Sports Day is marked today, the Bank celebrates its contributions and reaffirms its commitment to elevating Indian sports, envisioning a future of flourishing athleticism and new horizons of achievement.

    IndusInd Bank  head – corporate, commercial & rural banking and also incharge of IndusInd ForSports Sanjeev Anand said, “At IndusInd Bank, National Sports Day holds special significance as it encapsulates our unwavering commitment to sports, inclusivity, and the indomitable spirit of athletes. Our ‘IndusInd ForSports’ initiative, which began in 2016, has been a journey of fostering values that extend beyond the field. As we empower athletes across diverse disciplines, we are reminded of the powerful impact that sports can have in contributing to a more sustainable world. Today, on National Sports Day, we salute the athletes who inspire us and reaffirm our dedication to nurturing a culture of excellence, unity, and pride.”

    IndusInd Bank head – portfolio management & CSR Roopa Satish said, “At IndusInd Bank, we recognize that our role extends beyond the financial domain, committed to uplifting both the economy and society. Through ‘IndusInd ForSports,’ we tap into the unique power of sports to inspire, unite, and motivate athletes, with a strong focus on embracing human values, fostering inclusivity, and advocating sustainability. We take pride in promoting inclusivity and sporting excellence, nurturing athletes from diverse backgrounds. On this National Sports Day, we want to emphasize our dedication to supporting Indian sports, imagining a future with strong athleticism and remarkable achievements.”

  • Celebrating the rise of Esports, India’s new-age sporting phenomenon

    Celebrating the rise of Esports, India’s new-age sporting phenomenon

    Mumbai: Esports, the newest addition to the sports ecosystem is disrupting traditional norms and making waves all across the country. Once considered a niche pastime, Esports has transformed into a global phenomenon that is reshaping the traditional sports landscape in numerous ways. As the nation gears up to celebrate National Sports Day, let’s dive into the meteoric rise of this new-age sporting phenomenon.

    For any sport to gain recognition and credibility amongst the general population, it is essential to achieve significant success at major international tournaments and Esports fulfils that criterion. With remarkable bronze medals in the DOTA 2 title at the Commonwealth Games 2022, and also in the Hearthstone title at the 2018 Asian Games where Esports was a demonstration event under its belt, India has already marked its presence on the global Esports map.

    Now, the country is all set to battle it out in four different titles – DOTA 2, FIFA, Street Fighter, and League of Legends at the upcoming Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou where Esports is making its debut as a full-fledged medal sport. Regarding this, the Sports Ministry has also given its official approval for the 15-member contingent to represent the nation at the prestigious tournament which is a monumental step towards marking the growing significance of considering Esports as a mainstream sport.

    FIFA athlete of India a distinguished Charanjot Singh,  recently secured top seeding in the South Asian region seeding event for the Asian Games 2022. Speaking ahead of the biggest competition of his life yet, the athlete said, “I never thought I would be representing India in Esports at such a major international tournament. Having started with local tournaments it gives me immense joy to witness this rapid rise of Esports in the country. I am happy that people have understood that Esports is just like any other sport as it requires physical reflexes, strong mental strength, dedication, practice, and strategy. Every young kid with a controller in his hand will now be encouraged instead of being scolded.”

    While Esports gained the stature of a sport when the government officially recognized it as a multi-sport event, its legitimacy amongst the general public was enhanced when the government made amendments to the Information and Technology Act to establish a clear distinction between Esports and online gaming.

    Talking about the inspiring journey of Esports from being considered a hobby to an official sport,  the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) director of the esports federation of India and vice president Lokesh Suji stated, “Within a year, Esports has transcended the perception of entertainment to reach the level of competitive excellence. We are extremely thankful to the government for separating Esports from the umbrella of online gaming and is not considered to be a part of iGaming, rummy, gambling, etc. With our talented athletes striving for a medal in this year’s Asian Games and the official inclusion of Esports as a medal sport for Asian Games 2026 as well, it will help in educating the general public about its significance even more. Looking at the impressive growth trajectory of the ecosystem, we eagerly await its flourishment in the country.”

    Along with major international tournaments, Esports has also made its way into mainstream media. The reach of competitive gaming has extended beyond Esports dedicated platforms, with established sports networks like Star Sports and streaming giants like JioCinema realizing the potential of the sector by broadcasting Esports events to a wider audience.

    Sharing his thoughts on the mainstreaming of Esports, S8UL founder and CEO of 8Bit creatives and co-founder Animesh Agarwal expressed, “The transition from online streaming platforms to renowned sports networks signifies a noteworthy shift in the perception of Esports, positioning it on the same level as traditional sports. As Esports tournaments become a familiar sight in households across the country, there will be a surge in interest and participation, leading to a larger pool of potential talent that we can guide, support, and represent. Additionally, with Esports solidifying its mainstream status, the interest from non-endemic brands looking to establish a presence and be a part of the gaming community will also skyrocket which is beneficial for the overall growth of the sector.”

    Esports getting the status of a mainstream sport has not only led to an upsurge in its popularity and cultural acceptance but has also created a solid foundation at the grassroots level for gamers to take it up as a viable career option.

    ScoutOP also known as Tanmay Singh who is one of the leading gamers in the country said, “As an Esports athlete, I feel more validated and motivated to grind than ever before. The recognition on different platforms like TV and major streaming services makes me realize that we’re part of a rapidly evolving industry that is capturing the hearts of people across the nation. There has never been a better time to be an Esports athlete, and I am genuinely thrilled to contribute to the ongoing gaming revolution in India.”

    According to the “Windows of Opportunity” report on India’s media and entertainment industry by FICCI-EY, the number of Esports players across all competitive level games in India increased from 600,000 in 2021 to 1 million in 2022, and it is expected to reach 2.5 million in 2023.

    As Esports continues to flourish, its landscape is evolving as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and Web3 gaming are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Esports tournaments are being conducted in stadiums, degrees, and courses for Esports in educational institutes are becoming common, and even states are building their own Esports academies. So, it is safe to say that the future of video gaming in India is exciting.