The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), Sports Authority of India (SAI), and Indian Oil Corporation have entered into a partnership to strengthen boxing in India through a structured programme focused on talent identification and athlete development. Under the partnership, Indian Oil will provide ₹40 crore over two years to support talent identification, athlete development, coaching, sports science, international exposure, strengthening of boxing academies, and capacity building of coaches, referees and technical officials.
The MoU signing follows the inclusion of sports as a dedicated thematic area under the Department of Public Enterprises' Common CSR Theme Framework, marking an important step towards strengthening corporate participation in sports development. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the strategic use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to further sporting interests in the country, as outlined in the revamped Khelo India Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The partnership aims to combine Indian Oil's CSR support, NSDF's role in facilitating resources for sports development, and SAI's technical expertise. It will provide boxers with access to quality coaching, scientific support, training facilities, and competitive opportunities at national and international levels. The initiative comes at an important time for Indian boxing, following the Asian Games 2026 where Indian boxers won six medals including three gold and three bronze medals.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Secretary (Sports) Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, other senior officials of the Sports Ministry, Boxing Federation of India President Mr. Ajay Singh, and Director, HR, Indian Oil, Ms. Rashmi Govil. The National Sports Development Fund, established by the Government of India in 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890, facilitates the mobilization of resources from individuals and corporate organizations for sports development.