ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), a collaboration between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, has renewed its sponsorship with the Odisha Juggernauts, the Kho Kho franchise of the state, for the upcoming second edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho League. The defending champions, Odisha Juggernauts, are set to compete in the national tournament starting on December 24, 2023, at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack.
The partnership agreement was formalized by Mr. Keiji Kubota, Deputy Director, HR & Administration, AM/NS India, and Mr. Ranjit Parida, Joint Secretary, Department of Sports, Government of Odisha, and Director of OSDPC. AM/NS India had previously sponsored the team in the inaugural edition of Ultimate Kho Kho, where they emerged victorious.
The sponsorship reflects AM/NS India’s continued support for the team and its commitment to promoting sporting excellence in Odisha and India. The collaboration aligns with the company’s belief in the potential of the Odisha Juggernauts and their contribution to advancing the sport.
Ultimate Kho Kho, India’s first professional Kho Kho League launched in 2022, aims to modernize and popularize the traditional game, providing professional opportunities for players. The league also contributes to the resurgence of Kho Kho not only in South Asia but also in countries like England and South Africa.
In a further commitment to nurturing Kho Kho talent in Odisha, AM/NS India recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sports Department of the Government of Odisha. The agreement involves the establishment of a High-Performance Centre in Kho Kho at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The center aims to transform Odisha into a premier hub for Kho Kho excellence in India, with AM/NS India responsible for operating, managing, and training players at the facility. The company will also coach and develop judges for the sport.
Mr. R Vineel Krishna, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, and Chairman OSDPC, expressed satisfaction with the partnership and wished the Odisha Juggernauts success in the upcoming edition. Mr. Keiji Kubota of AM/NS India reiterated the company’s belief in the power of sports to develop youth and create a better world. He acknowledged the commendable sports promotion initiatives of the Odisha Government and expressed pride in partnering with them across various sports.
Highlighting AM/NS India’s broader commitment to sports promotion, the company has previously collaborated with the Government of Odisha for sports such as hockey and gymnastics. They were the Official Partner of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 and have set up the ‘Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High-Performance Centre’ in Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, contributing to the development of gymnastics in the region.
