Page 67 - Reliance Foundation Annual Report 2020-21

56 Reliance Foundation Annual Report 2020-21 57

Rural Sports: mainstreaming communities through sports Olympics preparation: supporting sportspersons to

Despite the challenges thrown in its way by the pandemic, Reliance Foundation supported the reach for the sky
organisation of the iconic Chirbatiya marathon amid strict COVID-19 protocols. In addition to supporting preparation for international in close partnership with the team at the Sir H N Reliance Development Sports for
sporting events, in FY 2020-21, Reliance Foundation provided Hospital, the programme aims to consistently improve the
Chirbatiya Winter Hill Half-Marathon specialised coaching to strengthen India’s Olympic aspirations performance of athletes so that they can bring glory to the
in designated sports. To improve India’s prospects at the country.
During FY 2020-21, there was little opportunity for rural Olympic Games and other prestigious international sporting
sports given the circumstances created by the pandemic. events, Reliance Foundation has been supporting the efforts During the year, switching to additional online support,
Nevertheless, Reliance Foundation ensured that Chirbatiya, of athletes, coaches, the government, the Indian Olympic athletes supported by Reliance Foundation attended weekly
a popular Monsoon Hill Half-Marathon, was held amid strict Association and National Sports Federations. Currently, it is education seminars on various topics including anti-doping,
COVID-19 safety protocols. supporting 11 athletes across archery, athletics, badminton psychology, nutrition, money management and email
and weightlifting and working closely with the Athletics etiquette. Athletes were also able to access specialised content
The third edition of this rural marathon in Chirbatiya, Federation of India to help provide national athletes with on training, nutrition and psychology launched on various
Uttarakhand held on March 14, 2021, had the theme “Run useful knowledge in sports science and medicine with the help RFYS social media platforms.
for Hills”. At 2,284 metres above sea level, this is one of the of experts stationed with them across the country. Working
world’s few high-altitude marathons. However, that’s not
the only thing that makes it unique. Chirbatiya has been a
focus area of Reliance Foundation’s Rural Transformation
interventions since 2014; and this was the community
members’ idea to encourage sports and drive tourism in Sparkling on the world stage
the region.
Ever since, the enthusiasm shown by the community,
especially by women, has been a testimony to the power The biggest challenge in weightlifting is to
of sports in driving local engagement. In 2021, the event remain free of injury and make sure your
was held in collaboration with district authorities and other nutrition is handled in a scientific manner.
institutions, with COVID-19 precautions in place. The event Community participating in the Chirbatiya Winter Hill Half-Marathon
has now become an indispensable part of the annual on 14 March 2021 in Uttarakhand. I am extremely grateful to the Sports Science
community calendar. and Medicine team from the
Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital for
keeping me fit and free of injury.
Education and Sports for All: providing access to quality Achinta Sheuli with his Silver medal from Junior World Weightlifting Achinta Sheuli
Sportsperson
education and sports Championships in Tashkent in May 2021
Reliance Foundation-supported Achinta Sheuli won a Silver • Dedicated sports physiotherapist and sports science
The Education and Sports for All (ESA) initiative was medal in the 73kg category at the Junior World Weightlifting specialists
launched in 2010 to provide children access to quality Championships in Tashkent in May 2021. He has now set his
education and sports in India. The ESA programme sights on winning Gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games • Support of specialists from the Rehabilitation and
supports various initiatives through strategic partnerships in Birmingham. Sports Science Medicine team at the Sir H N Reliance
with NGOs to provide holistic development and equal Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, who focused on nutrition,
opportunities in education and sports to children. It also Achinta hails from a modest background and acknowledges strength building and conditioning, psychology and data
seeks to provide quality education through innovations. the enormous impact Reliance Foundation has had in management and analysis
The ESA programme has positively impacted the lives of his sporting career through his inclusion in the newly Achinta, armed with a proven track record and a steely
2+ lakh underprivileged children since its inception. introduced Elite Athlete Scholarship Programme of RFYS. resolve to succeed , is now identifying his short and long-
Before his performance at Tashkent, 19-year-old Achinta had term goals. He wants to follow in the footsteps of his heroes
During the pandemic in FY 2020-21, Reliance Foundation successfully lifted a combined weight of 313 kg in the Snatch – five-time World Champion Lü Xiaojun from China, Olympic
provided support to 15 NGOs that demonstrate a strong and Clean & Jerk categories, setting national records in both and World Champion Sohrab Moradi from Iran and India’s
commitment to learning and development outcomes categories. very own Olympic and World Champion, Mirabai Chanu.
amongst children in order to fill gaps in education and The role of Reliance Foundation
youth sports in India. Reliance Foundation also arranges a His success earned him a job in the Indian Army and Achinta
special celebration for underprivileged children in Mumbai Reliance Foundation provided him with is determined to lift his family out of poverty. The challenges
every year during Christmas. Together, this year, 1,500 • Financial support towards equipment, competitions, remain, but Achinta is now a sportsperson of international
children across Mumbai shared and spread the spirit of the training and nutrition repute, backed by a support system that helped him realise
festive season. the dreams that he once thought impossible.
2+ lakh children from Achinta is very sincere and committed to the sport. He is ambitious and wants
families of limited means to achieve big things for the country. I also find him to be very disciplined, both
Positively impacted since the on and off the field. He is a quick learner and is able to grasp suggestions and
inception of the ESA programme
implement them on the platform both during training and in competitions.
Crowd cheering during the pre-season match between Sacramento Vijay Sharma
Kings and Indiana Pacers in the first ever NBA India Games 2019 at National coach
NSCI in Mumbai, India on 4 October 2019