New Delhi, 21 October 2022:

HCL Foundation, the CSR arm of HCLTech, in partnership with NGOs Don Bosco Anbu Illam and Hope Foundation, and with support from Chennai Corporation and Tambaram Commissionerate, inaugurated a Sports Complex and Multi Sports Playground for underprivileged children in Kannagi Nagar, Chennai on October 18, 2022. Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Vice President and Director, HCL Foundation inaugurated the facility in the presence of Mr. A. Amalraj, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Tambaram, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Other Guests of Honour included N. Kamini, IPS, Additional Commissioner, Headquarters & Traffic at Tambaram Police Commissionerate; Mr. Ian Correa, CEO, Hope Foundation; Fr. Andrew Stephen Raj, Executive Director Don Bosco Anbu Illam; and Anitha, national kabaddi player from Kannagi Nagar.

This Multi-Sports complex will be a beacon of hope for the 1.7 lakh residents of Kannagi Nagar, paving the way for their children to get formal sports training. The sports ground is 39,272 sq ft in size. It will be used to motivate children and youth to participate in sports like Kabaddi, Football, Cricket, and other track and field activities. The sports facility has a volleyball court, a kabaddi court, a football field, a rugby court, two cricket nets, and a 100-meter athletic track. This ground will help over 30,000 children and youth from the slum community.

Sports and physical education play a vital role in children’s physical and mental development. Athletics, cricket, football, volleyball, kabaddi, and touch rugby are among the sports available at the multi-sports complex. However, for poor children and youth, participating in formal sports is a pipedream. Despite their athletic ability, many youngsters from unprivileged families are compelled to abandon their passion for athletics due to material deprivation and lack of opportunities in their communities.

The Sports complex will improve the well-being of children of all ages, genders, and ethnicities.
Many sporting talents have already been found and trained. Sports training and facilities have been offered to 250+ Elite players and 800 + Gurukul community players throughout the year. Additionally, this facility will serve around 230 children.

HCL Foundation (HCLF) was established in 2011 as the CSR arm of HCLTech. It is a not-for-profit organization that strives to contribute toward national and international development goals, bringing about a lasting positive impact on people’s lives through long-term sustainable programs. The foundation aims to alleviate poverty and achieve inclusive growth and development. Active community engagement ensures optimal long-term gains and upward accountability. HCL Foundation works through Life Cycle Based, Integrated Community Development Approach with a thematic focus on Education, Health, Skill Development & Livelihood, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction & Response. Child protective strategies, inclusion, and gender transformative approaches remain central in all initiatives of the HCL Foundation, thus ensuring comprehensive development. Presently HCL Foundation is implementing five flagship programs, namely HCL Saturday & HCL Grant – Rural Development programs; HCL Uday & Clean Noida – Urban Development programs; HCL Harit (The Green Initiative) – Environment Action program and four special initiatives – Power of One, Sports for Change, HCL Foundation Academy and My E-Haat.

Quotes

Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Vice President and Director, HCL Foundation

“Sport is an integral part of education. We, at HCL Foundation, are committed to strengthening the community, and we believe that the key lies at empowering children at the grassroots level. Engaging children in various co-curricular activities including sports, enables them to grow holistically. Socioeconomic background cannot be a limiting factor for any child. Sports is a great leveler that teaches children the value of teamwork, a positive attitude, and attaining physical and mental strength. We have been working relentlessly across the country to equip youths with quality education and sports training. We have received unwavering support from our trusted partners and have watched long-term development amongst our community children of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. We think that this facility will allow our youth to actively participate in competitions and win medals at home and abroad. I would like to thank Chennai Police for their immense contribution to this project.”

Mr. Amalraj, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Tambaram

“Today many youths of Kannagi Nagar are actively participating in sports. Today, we have our state kabaddi winner Ms. Anitha, who is from this region, with us. With the tremendous support from HCL Foundation, Hope Foundation, Don Bosco Anbu Illam, and corporation officials from Slum Clearance Board, I think nothing can stop us from cultivating a positive environment for creating confidence amongst the youth to achieve their goals.”