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India House is poised to transcend boundaries, bridge cultures and foster camaraderie among Olympic enthusiasts, all while showcasing India’s rich heritage and boundless potential to the world. (Representational image/Getty)
Under the leadership of Nita Ambani, the first Indian woman to join the International Olympic Committee in 2016, Reliance Foundation has expanded from a single program in 2013 to support over 200 athletes across more than 10 sports disciplines
Founded in 2013, the Reliance Foundation’s sports chapter is working with partners to create a world-class sporting ecosystem from the ground up – nurturing a passion for sports at the grassroots; creating platforms for scouting and developing sporting talent; improving the quality of training and infrastructure; providing national and international opportunities; and ultimately, enhancing athletes’ performance to help them excel at the highest levels of global sport, all the way to the Olympics elevate the country’s profile within the Olympic movement.
The programs focus on two key areas — developing football and growing the Olympic movement.
Under the leadership of Nita Ambani, the first Indian woman to join the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2016, Reliance Foundation has expanded from a single program in 2013 to support over 200 athletes across more than 10 sports disciplines. Since its inception, the foundation’s initiatives have positively impacted the lives of over 22.9 million children and youth in India.
Growing the Olympic movement – Scholarship Program
Launched in 2019, the foundations scholarship program aims to support athletes and organizations in pursuits for Olympic success. The program currently supports over 50 athletes across 10+ sports, to create a pipeline of young athletes capable of achieving international success.
Reliance Foundation also has one of the most robust and well-defined athletics programs in India, overseen by renowned coach James Hillier, and boasts three facilities: The National Athletics Centre in Navi Mumbai, the Odisha Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre, and the Endurance Training program in Bengaluru and Ooty. The Odisha centre is India’s first indoor athletics facility.
Building on the momentum from the IOC Session in October 2023, Reliance Foundation, in partnership with the IOA, will establish the first-ever India House at the Paris Olympics, 2024. India House will serve as a showcase of India to the world, marking 100 years of India’s participation in the Olympics to fans from across the world, to key stakeholders from the global sports world, Indian travellers, media and athletes. It will also be the first time that Indian athletes will have a home at the Olympics that will look to celebrate India’s sporting achievements and sportspersons.
Reliance Foundation has significantly impacted India’s football ecosystem, especially at the grassroots level. Initiatives like the Naupang League (5-6 yrs onwards), Reliance Foundation Development League (U21), and RFYS (school and college tournaments for boys and girls) provide young players with opportunities to develop.
The foundation also operates the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC), India’s top residential football academy, certified by the All India Football Federation. The academy not only focuses on football skills but also education and personality development for over 90 children.
Nita Ambani has been at the forefront of championing India’s potential in building itself as a sports powerhouse and played a pivotal role in bringing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session back to India after 40 years in October last year.
Elected to the IOC in 2016, she is the first Indian woman to become a member of the body and has since demonstrated a deep and unwavering commitment to strengthening India’s contribution to the Olympic Movement. Chaired by her, the Reliance Foundation, too, remains committed to empowering athletes from the grassroots to the elite stage.
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