Jamshedpur: Tata Steel proudly announces its recognition with two significant national awards for its unwavering commitment and outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of sports in India. The company received accolades at both the Sports Science India Awards 2025 in Bhubaneswar and the 3rd CII Sports Business Awards 2025 in New Delhi, celebrating its deep-rooted philosophy and comprehensive ecosystem development in sports.
At the Sports Science India Awards 2025, held on December 6, 2025, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Tata Steel was conferred with the highly coveted SSI Sports Development Award for Advancing Sports in India. The event saw the esteemed presence of key participants including Shri Manoj Ahuja, IAS, as chief guest, Shri Sachin R. Jadhav, IAS (Sports Secretary), Shri Amitabh Thakur, IPS (Senior Police Official), and Shri Dilip Tirkey (former hockey captain).
The award was received by Mr. Mukul Vinayak Choudhari, Chief Sports, Tata Steel and CEO & MD of Jamshedpur FC, on behalf of the company.
This recognition highlights Tata Steel’s pioneering efforts, rooted in the vision of its founder Jamsetji Tata, who explicitly mandated reserving large areas for sports in Jamshedpur. This deep-seated philosophy has evolved into a robust sports ecosystem, encompassing world-class infrastructure like the JRD Tata Sports Complex and nurturing academies such as the Tata Football Academy and Tata Archery Academy, which have consistently produced national and international talent.
Further cementing its leadership in sports patronage, Tata Steel was also honoured at the 3rd CII Sports Business Awards 2025 on December 9, 2025, at The Grand in New Delhi. Here, the company received The Legacy of Excellence in Sports Patronage Award.
Mr. Mukul Vinayak Choudhari once again accepted the award and delivered an inspiring address, tracing Tata Steel’s profound connection with sports back to the visionary founder Jamshedji Tata. He highlighted how Sir Dorabji Tata became a founding member of the Indian Olympic Association in 1919 and even personally financed and led India’s first Olympic team to Antwerp in 1920, laying the cornerstone for India’s international sports journey decades before independence. This historical commitment, coupled with continuous investment in infrastructure, academies, and grassroots programs, has garnered numerous national honours, including 42 Arjuna Awards and 6 Dronacharya Awards for its athletes and coaches.
The Confederation of Indian Industry’s Sports Department extended their warmest congratulations, acknowledging Mr. Choudhari’s visionary leadership and transformative impact on Indian sports, which resonated deeply with senior MYAS officials, industry captains, and over 150 leaders present at the event.
“These awards are a testament to Tata Steel’s deep-rooted belief in the power of sports to build character, foster leadership, and contribute to national development,” said Mr. Mukul Vinayak Choudhari. “From our founder’s vision to our continuous investment in academies and grassroots programs, we are immensely proud of our journey and remain committed to building a holistic sports ecosystem and promoting talent from the grassroots to the global stage.”
Tata Steel has a long-standing history of promoting sports, including establishing world-class academies for football (Tata Football Academy), archery (Tata Archery Academy), and supporting various sporting events and initiatives like Jamshedpur FC, Tata Kids of Steel Triathlon, and the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. These recognitions underscore the company’s significant and sustained impact on the Indian sports landscape.
