HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 14: HCL Foundation and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT) have come together to identify young sports talent from underserved communities in India and provide them with advanced training to compete in national and international sports championships.
As part of this partnership, 45 athletes between the ages of 10 and 16, representing various sports such as football, athletics, basketball, kabaddi, cricket, rugby, boxing, and volleyball, have been selected. Ten of these athletes, identified for their significant potential, will participate in ABFT’s one-year STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Analytics, Medicine) program. This program, conducted in collaboration with coaches at ABFT centers in Bengaluru and Delhi, offers high-performance training and development in areas such as physiotherapy, mental health, injury management, rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning. The remaining 35 athletes will be part of ABFT’s Scientific Assessment Program, which provides customised training plans for athletes and coaches. Additionally, ABFT will conduct regular capacity-building sessions for coaches on talent identification, injury management, and nutrition.
This collaboration between HCL Foundation and ABFT is a part of HCL Foundation’s Sports for Change initiative, which focuses on balanced participation, excellence, and holistic development of children and youth from disadvantaged communities. Over 27,000 children and young athletes have already benefited from the program, with 13 representing India at international championships and 42 participating in national-level competitions. Notably, Jerlin Anika, an HCL Foundation sports scholar, made history as India’s first woman Deaflympian to receive the Arjuna Award in 2022 for her achievements in badminton.
Abhinav Bindra, Olympic champion and founder of ABFT, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the aim to create a sustainable ecosystem that empowers athletes and supports their journey towards sporting success. The focus is on athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with affordable and accessible scientifically structured training and development programs.
Dr Nidhi Pundhir, vice president of Global CSR at HCL Foundation, emphasised that the partnership with ABFT will empower young athletes by providing them with resources and mentoring to unlock their full potential.
