Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Ranchi has been conferred with ‘National CSR Award 2018’ in the category-CSR Awards for contribution to the National Priority Schemes, sub-category—Promotion of Sports in Jharkhand during a mega function held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on Tuesday.  President of India Ram Nath Kovind graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and in his address he congratulated all the winners including CCL.

Chairman-cum-Managing Director, CCL Gopal Singh received the prestigious award from the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hon’ble Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag  Thakur during  presentation of the National Corporate Social Responsibility Awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

In the first National CSR Awards, organised by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the National CSR Awards has been incorporated with the objective to encourage and infuse excellence in CSR activities by Corporate India as agents of social transformation.

CCL has been selected for this prestigious award for the innovative socially beneficial project under the leadership of Gopal Singh, who not only promised a career in sports in the tribal land of Jharkhand but also provided equal opportunity to many of those who could not dream of getting world class training in Ranchi, Capital of Jharkhand. Conceptualised by the then Minister of Coal and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal and Chief Minister Raghubar Das, the Sports Academy started in July 2016.

Sports Academy has come of age in a very short span of time. Majority of its young cadets, who come from remote, backward and disadvantaged part of the State, have added many feathers to the cap of the academy in no time.

 In last three years, more than 250 sports cadets have able to win different competitions across the country and at international level.

It has been the endeavour of Singh to ensure that these young cadets get best of all, be it training, facilities, infrastructure, diet or the coaches. The academy has become the most sought-after academies of Jharkhand. Last year 1,89,000 applicants went through selection trial organised across 24 districts of Jharkhand and finally 170 students were selected after rigorous selection trials, which makes it to ratio of 9:10000 for finally selected cadets and applicants, demonstrating its popularity. The sports academy has also benefited from various Central Govt schemes like Khelo India etc. CCL as responsible corporate citizen is committed towards the holistic growth of downtrodden, employees and tribal. CCL has taken up several initiatives for young and talented children and youths of Scheduled Tribes in the field of Sports.

While Sports Academy has been a flagship scheme, in addition to it, CCL has identified close to 250 football teams in its command areas to promote Sports in the tribal regions of Jharkhand.

 In Simdega, for the past two years CCL has been organizing Junior boys & girls Hockey tournament in which maximum participation has been from the tribal community. Similarly, CCL has been regularly organising various tournaments, to promote sports spirit and identify the hidden talent from these tribal regions. CMD, CCL on behalf of CCL family expressed his gratitude to the President of India, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag  Thakur. This being a momentous occasion in CCL history will act as a morale booster and inspire the entire CCL family who are working tirelessly for the inclusive growth of the society and nation both.