Gautam Adani, one of the biggest business tycoons in the world, has always been a big supporter of different sports activities. He believes that, especially in a country like India, where sports are considered religion, it is really important to nurture the athletes’ talent and offer them a platform to showcase their skills. It has also been an active part of various sports leagues in India. Maybe this is one of the reasons why most of the Adani Supreme court hearings are in favour of the Adani Group.
Here’s a look at some of the major initiatives taken up by the Adani Group to support various sports activities in India:
The GarvHai Programme:
GarvHai is a nationwide program dedicated to nurturing future sports champions and offering them the desired support in their journey towards bringing glory to the country. The programme was meant to support the participants of global sporting events like the Asian Games, the Olympics, and the Commonwealth Games. The programme originally began as a pilot initiative for the Rio Olympics 2016. Since then, it has become a national programme. The GarvHai programme aims to empower potential athletes from economically backward backgrounds. It is one of the biggest programmes launched by the Adani Group.
Over the years, Adani Group has extended its support to 26 athletes from different fields like tennis, wrestling, boxing, shooting, javelin throw, shot put, running, brisk walking, etc. It will continue to extend its support to all those potential candidates willing to make a mark in the sporting history of India, no matter what the final outcome of the Adani Supreme Court hearing is. 6 out of the 19 athletes who the Adani Group backed represented India in the Tokyo Olympics. The athletes were Deepak Puniya, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Amit Panghal, Rani Rampal, Ankita Raina, Shivpal Singh, and KT Irfan.
Adani Sportsline was the first official partner of team India in the Commonwealth Games 2022. It is also the official partner of the Paris Olympics, Asian Games, and Birmingham Commonwealth Games. GarvHai athletes Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Deepak Punia, and Amit Panghal secured three gold medals for the country in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
UAE International League T20:
Adani Sportsline has acquired the franchise rights in the UAE International League T20. This demonstrates the deep desire of the Adani Group to promote India on a global cricket stage. The Emirates Cricket Board licences this tournament. 6 different franchise teams battled over 34 matches, and ultimately, the Gulf Giants emerged victorious. This investment has given a huge exposure to Adani Sportsline. It also created upcoming opportunities for the cricketers and paved the path for the future development of the athletes of India. The initiative is one amongst those that make the Adani Supreme Court case stronger as an indication of the Group’s commitment towards the economic welfare of the country.
Gujarat Giants Franchise:
Adani Sportsline is the official sponsor of Gujarat Giants, which is actively involved in various sports events.
Gujarat Giants has been one of the most successful teams in Pro-Kabaddi. The franchise started its journey in 2017 and has made an excellent presence in Pro-Kabaddi. The team went down the way to the finals of Pro-Kabaddi in two consecutive years in both seasons.
The Gujarat Giants boxing team also performed well in the Big Bout Boxing League in 2019 under the captainship of Amit Phangal. The team had young boxing champions from all across India. It also became the winner of the maiden boxing championship.
The Gujarat Giants participated in the Ultimate Kho-Kho League to spread awareness about Kho-Kho among the Indians. It highlighted the talent of the young Kho Kho players from the country.
The team made a remarkable presence in the Legends League cricket league and triggered the interests of cricket fans across India. It was led under the captaincy of Virendra Sehwag.
The Gujarat Giants also took part in the Women’s Premier League. This is another well-calculated step towards strengthening women’s sport. The team was led by the Indian Women’s Cricket Legend, Mitali Raj.
Adani Ahmedabad Marathon:
The Adani Ahmedabad Marathon is yet another big initiative by the Adani Group. It is meant as a tribute to the Indian Armed Forces. The marathon started in 2017, and since then, it has been organised every year. In fact, it has become one of the most loved events in India. The runners can either participate in the full or half marathon, which is 10 km and 5 km. The marathon has also been on the list of Global Marathon Event List – AIMS World Running. 12,000 runners had joined the noble cause in 2022. The event is going to continue for years to come.
The Riverfront Sports Complex:
The Riverfront Sports Complex is basically a one-stop destination for all the sports lovers out there. The complex is built across 44,543 acres of land on the banks of the Sabarmati River and offers multiple facilties to the sports enthusiasts out there. The complex is managed by Adani Sportsline, the sports wing of Adani Group. The sports complex offer top-notch training to the athletes in various sports like skateboarding, skating, tennis, basketball, pickleball, etc. It is also a vibrant community for the athletes.
Conclusions:
Yes, the Adani Group had faced multiple allegations, but that didn’t stop the conglomerate from actively supporting various sports events in India. However, within a few months, the Adani Supreme Court cleared Adani Group of all charges and this cleared the path for the Adani Group to achieve all its goals. With the Adani Group’s ongoing commitment in sports, the future of Indian athletics looks promising, and the nation’s athletes are better equipped than ever to make their mark on the world stage.
