OREANDA-NEWS. October 26, 2011. Tata  Steel was today conferred with “Best  Company Promoting Sports “for 2011-2012 at the Global Sports Summit TURF  2011.  The summit was organized by FICCI  (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), an institution which  actively pursues the agenda of sports and its development in India.  Ms Purnima Mahto, Coach with Tata Archery  Academy (TAA) was adjudged “Coach of the  year”.

On  behalf of Tata Steel,  Mr Charles  Borromeo, Senior Manager, Sports, Tata Steel Limited received the award. FICCI  instituted the awards in 2009 under various categories like sportsperson of the  year, coach of the year, exemplary contribution to sports etc. This is the  first time that sports committee of FICCI has decided to award a company for  the promotion of sports and Tata Steel was undisputable leader across  parameters.

Mr Sanjiv  Paul, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel stated “ it is a great honour to be  recognized by FICCI for our efforts in Sports. Tata Steel has always nurtured  the latent sporting talent of the country, especially from the tribal and rural  population of India. We at Tata Steel strongly believe that India has a huge  pool of sports talent and they need be trained and exposed to national and  international competitions to build up their capacities.”

The  cause of sports promotion and the development of outstanding sportspersons  began at Tata Steel from its founding years. It has now become a way of life  for the Company. The number of sports disciplines has increased from five to  twenty one. A full-fledged Sports Department in Tata Steel was created to  consolidate sports management and administration under a single umbrella and  followed up with the establishment of sports academies of excellence for  Football, Archery and Athletics and infrastructure for 18 other sports  disciplines and 4 Feeder Centres in rural areas. This has paid handsome  dividends - 5 Padmashrees, 30 Arjuna Awardees, 21 Olympians and 32 Asian  Medalists.