Page 68 - Reliance Foundation Annual Report 2020-21

58 Reliance Foundation Annual Report 2020-21 59

Reliance Foundation Odisha Athletics High Performance
Centre: aiming to be one of Asia’s best My main target for this year is to compete at the Asian U-18

In FY 2020-21, the High Performance Centre (HPC) ensured athletes, irrespective of their age or sex. Athletes from the HPC Championships for India. I am extremely happy with the training Development Sports for
training and a competitive atmosphere for athletes including registered an impressive 100 personal best timings over the
Performance Graded Races, while maintaining strict COVID-19 four-competition series. I am getting at the HPC.
protocols. The HPC in Athletics set up at the Kalinga stadium in
Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the Odisha Government, At the Junior National Championships in Guwahati, the first I have improved immeasurably at everything including speed, strength
aims to be one of the most reputed sporting centres in Asia by competition of the season, athletes from the HPC returned and technique that wouldn’t have been possible without the expert
2024. At present, 29 athletes are being trained at the academy. with three medals. Head Coach James Hillier and his team
designed customised training programmes for each athlete training I have received here and without it, I wouldn’t have been able
In FY 2020-21, the HPC ensured that the athletes were able to depending on their specific needs. to win medals at these championships.
receive training while ensuring all safety protocols. Sprint and
middle-distance competitions were organised for athletes by Sabita Toppo
the HPC in the uniquely designed concept of Performance Reliance Foundation Odisha Athletics High
Performance Centre
Graded Races. Unlike the usual practice, races at these
competitions were graded entirely on timings achieved by the

An upcoming young athlete
SABITA’S ACHIEVEMENTS
During the National Junior Athletics in Bhubaneswar in 2020. She was named the
Won the U-16 pentathlon Championships 2021, Sabita Toppo beat her best female performer at the event, recording
personal best record in long Jump and 80 m
four personal bests in the six races she
Gold hurdles. She is a standout performer from the participated in.
At the Junior National Championships Reliance Foundation Odisha Athletics HPC The role of Reliance Foundation Odisha
in Guntur, breaking the national Academy, making waves in athletics at the Athletics High-Performance Centre
record tender age of 15.
Sabita has been a natural athlete since school, The HPC provided Sabita with world-class
winning several competitions, and earning a coaching and all-round training to boost her
place at the State Sports Hostel in Sundergarh, development. Her coaching staff at the HPC
Odisha. Her abilities also secured her a place are helping her prepare for the heptathlon
Won Bronze in long at the Reliance Foundation Odisha Athletics category from next season onwards.
Reliance Foundation is proud to enable many
jump HPC, where she began training under the young girls in sports like Sabita to fly high
guidance of expert coaches from August 2019.
At the Reliance Foundation Youth by providing them top-notch training and
Sports Championships in January Sabita delivered top-notch performances at facilities.
2020 the Sprint and Middle-Distance Fest at HPC

Sabita loves to compete. She has a great ability to raise her
Crossed 5.59 metres in level in competition, which is an essential quality to have.
long jump and completed
the 80 m hurdles in 11.77 As Sabita is still a young developing athlete, her programme
seconds, eclipsing her is based around multi-events and developing all of the key
Personal Best (PB) records skills that are a prerequisite in an elite athlete. We are trying to
in both the events ingrain good technique and although we want some success
At the Reliance Foundation Youth now, we are very much taking a long-term view with Sabita.
Sports Championships in January
2020 James Hillier
Head Coach, Reliance Foundation Odisha High Performance Centre

Reliance Foundation believes in the role of sports in supporting holistic
development of youth. The Sports for Development initiatives aim to broaden
participation and interest in sports, provide resources and opportunities
for sportspersons to nurture their aspirations, with the vision of unwavering
commitment, and representing India at the highest levels of global sport.
Sabita Toppo at Odisha HPC