NRI, Mittal launched
Rs. 40 crore "Mittal Champions Trust" for
young Indian sports men
Mumbai, Nov. 09, 2005
NRI press
NRI, UK steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal,
announced Rs. 40 crore `Mittal Champions Trust'. His
ambition is to support and performance of talented
young Indian sportsmen and women to win medals at
the Olympic Games at Beijing in 2008, New Delhi Commonwealth
Games in 2010 and 2012 Summer Olympiad in London.
Mr. Mittal said, "I went to Athens
to see the Olympics last year and was excited by the
performances, but was disappointed to see India languishing
at the bottom. When Lithuania can win medals why not
India?
"There are many districts in India
and I am sure there's plenty of talent to be tapped
there. Someone like M.S. Dhoni has emerged from Jharakand.
I hope more Indian corporates would start similar
initiatives to support Indian sports. We will do our
best, train athletes in India or abroad in order to
achieve excellence in sports," said Mr. Mittal.
Congratulating Mr. Mittal, the Union Civil Aviation
Minister, Mr. Praful Patel, said cricket has received
maximum patronage in independent India and was happy
that Mr. Mittal had decided to support sports persons.
"He's the third richest man in the world. I
hope he becomes the richest man so that he will be
able to support sports in India in a much bigger way."
India's cricket captain Rahul Dravid is one of the
trustees on the board, apart from Messrs. L.N. Mittal,
Aditya Mittal (L.N. Mittal's son), Amit Bhatia (son-in-law)
and Mahesh Bhupathi. "We will get a different
perspective from Rahul, that's why he's in the trustee
board," said Mr. Mittal.
"Mittal Champions
Trust" will provide chosen
youngsters, from the age groups of 17 and above, 13-17
year olds and 10-12 year olds, with the highest quality
training available for their sport.
Joshna Chinappa first
beneficiary of "Mittal
Champions Trust"
Tennis star, Joshna Chinappa (Nine
time doubles Grand Slam winner) who was present
at the launch of the trust, is the first beneficiary
by signing as athlete
Mahesh Bhupathi met Mr. Mittal at the
All England Tennis Club last June as a result of which
the trust modalities were completed with a catch phrase,
"India's first trust dedicated to win medals
and prestige for Indian sport".
Attention will be given to every aspect
that makes a sportsman successful," said Bhupathi,
who had initiated the idea with the Mittals.
