NSDF and SAI Join Forces with Indian Oil to Boost Boxing Talent in India

New Delhi, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and Indian Oil Corporation have teamed up to strengthen boxing in India. This partnership aims to identify talent and foster athlete development through a structured program.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized the strategic use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to promote sports in the country. This initiative aligns with the new “Khelo India Scheme,” which was approved by the central cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dr. Mandaviya stated, “Under the new Khelo India Scheme, the government is enhancing collaboration with corporate partners. Such CSR-supported partnerships will contribute to building a truly national sports ecosystem.” This memorandum of understanding (MoU) comes at a time when the Public Enterprises Department has included sports as a specific thematic area within its “Common CSR Theme Framework.” This move is a significant step towards strengthening corporate participation in sports development.

Indian Oil will contribute ₹400 million over two years. These funds will support talent identification, athlete development, coaching, sports science, international exposure, and the enhancement of boxing academies, as well as the training of coaches, referees, and technical officials.

Dr. Mandaviya remarked, “This MoU solidifies corporate sector participation in sports. Corporations should step up to assist not just in boxing, but in all sports. Early developmental stages require support, and once the ecosystem is established, it can sustain itself and attract further investment.”

In addition to financial support, creating a complete boxing ecosystem necessitates investment in talent identification, equipment, sports science, facilities, coaching development, and referee training.

The MoU signed on Tuesday aims to combine Indian Oil’s CSR efforts, NSDF’s resource mobilization for sports development, and SAI’s technical expertise. This collaboration will provide boxers with quality coaching, scientific support, training facilities, and opportunities to compete at national and international levels.

This partnership comes at a pivotal moment for Indian boxing. During the 2026 Asian Games, Indian boxers secured six medals, including three gold and three bronze. The initiative seeks to further enhance this performance by strengthening the development pathways for emerging and elite boxers. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Union Sports Minister, Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao, senior officials from the Sports Ministry, Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh, and Indian Oil’s HR Director Rashmi Govil.

Established by the Indian government in 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act of 1890, the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) aids in mobilizing resources from individuals and corporate entities for sports development. This fund supports athlete development, sports infrastructure, academies, specialized coaching, equipment, and international exposure initiatives through partnerships with both public and private sector organizations.