Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta group company, has come forward to sponsor international discus-throw champion Krishna Poonia. A two-time Asian Games medallist at Doha (in 2006) and Guangzhou(in 2010), Poonia will receive support from the company for two years. A finalist at the London Olympics in 2012, Poonia has been a recipient of the Arjuna and Padmashri awards.
Vedanta Group has been supportive of sports in India and overseas. Sesa Goa has formed the Sesa Football Academy in Goa on reclaimed mine land. In Rajasthan, Hindustan Zinc has a football stadium at Zawar where national football tournaments are held every year and also a stadium at Rajsamand. Vedanta’s group company Konkola Copper Mine supports sports such as football, tennis, squash and golf.
“A sportsperson needs financial security and that plays a crucial role in their performance. Once the financial help is assured, the concentration in the game is automatically enhanced and the focus is also increased,” said Poonia.
Poonia’s medal quest begins with the 2014 Incheon (South Korea) Asian Games and Commonwealth Games at Glasgow, Scotland, followed by the Olympics at Rio. Poonia will be trained by her husband Virender Poonia. Akhilesh Joshi, Chief Executive Officer, Hindustan Zinc, said Rajasthan has ample talent and could do with support from both the government and corporations.
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