HCL FOUNDATION, the corporate social responsibility arm of HCL Tech in India, has announced a new initiative to strengthen support for both elite and emerging Indian para-athletes under its ‘Sports for Change’ program.
The Sports for Change initiative has long worked to empower young athletes from diverse and underserved communities, using sport as a pathway to personal growth and professional opportunity. Its latest effort, launched in collaboration with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) aims to bolster the training and readiness of leading para-athletes ahead of major international competitions.
A total of 14 elite para-athletes received sports equipment worth Rs 37 lakh. The list of recipients include Sandip Sargar: Gold in Javelin at the WPA Grand Prix for three consecutive years (2022-24); Gayathri HM: Silver at the 2024 World Boccia Challenger in Cairo, Egypt; Kasthuri Rajamani: Bronze at the 2024 Para Powerlifting World Cup in Pattaya, Thailand; Pradeep Kumar: Silver in Javelin at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games and Bronze in Marrakech 2023 Grand Prix; Amisha Rawat: Bronze in Javelin at the 2023 WPA Grand Prix in Nottwil, Switzerland; Bhagyashree Madhavrao Jadav: Silver in Shot Put at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
In addition, six emerging para-athletes supported by the program have been awarded scholarships ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, tailored to their individual training needs.
To date, the Sports for Change program has reached over 64,000 athletes, with 25 para-athletes going on to represent India on the international stage. Overall, HCL Foundation has invested nearly Rs 80 crore in the initiative so far.
HCL Tech SVP, global CSR Nidhi Pundhir said, “Over the past few years, Indian para-athletes have excelled in the global sporting arenas and have made India proud. We are delighted to support their endeavour through our Sports for Change initiative, which has been a catalyst for transformation. We will continue to supercharge progress for the athletes and the community at large through our programs.”
PCI president Devendra Jhajharia while speaking to ANI, said, “The biggest thing is that today we have a collaboration with the HCL Foundation and the Paralympic Committee of India, and under that, they have helped our athletes through a CSR program. Our first priority is to work at the grassroots level. You only see athletes playing in stadiums, but athletes also play in villages. People with disabilities, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen years old, don’t want to leave their villages. Through programs like this, we reach out to athletes who are talented but unable to venture out.”
“India’s para-athletes have shown extraordinary talent and determination, and with the right support, they can achieve even greater success internationally. Organisations like HCLFoundation play a crucial role in creating a stronger ecosystem for para-sports that provides athletes with the equipment, training and nutrition they need to excel. Such initiatives not only uplift our athletes but also strengthen the spirit of inclusion and pride in Indian sports,” Jhajharia added.
