• Vedanta assumes complete
ownership of Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Lancers ahead of Hockey India League
(HIL).
• Highlights Vedanta’s
dedication to nurturing sports in Odisha and contributing to India’s sporting
excellence.
Vedanta Limited has
announced its acquisition of the Kalinga Lancers, a premier hockey team based
in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, at a franchisee event held ahead of the highly
anticipated return of the Hockey India League (HIL). This acquisition
reinforces Vedanta’s long-standing commitment to promoting sports in Odisha, a
region where the company has played a pivotal role in socio-economic
development for over two decades.
The Kalinga Lancers, former
HIL champions, were previously co-owned by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure
Development Corporation (IDCO) and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). Vedanta
Aluminium now assumes full ownership, with a vision to build on the team’s
legacy of excellence and elevate their standing in future HIL seasons.
Commenting on this landmark
acquisition, Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited
and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc, stated:
“At Vedanta, we are
committed to transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse. Hockey has
been one of the pillars of India’s sports success, with recent Olympic
victories further highlighting its potential. With our acquisition of the
Kalinga Lancers, we are investing not only in the team but in the future of
Indian hockey. Through enhanced infrastructure, grassroots talent scouting, and
focused training, we aim to foster a new generation of athletes who will
proudly represent India on the world stage.”
Vedanta’s strategic focus
will be on assembling a competitive team for the upcoming HIL season, while
bolstering infrastructure, securing sponsorships, and exploring partnerships to
strengthen the Lancers’ position in the league.
Leveraging Odisha’s world-class
sports facilities and rich hockey culture, Vedanta sees this acquisition as a
crucial step in both the regional and national growth of the sport. This aligns
with the company’s broader mission of fostering socio-economic progress in
Odisha, while supporting the state’s role as India’s aluminium hub and a vital
contributor to national self-reliance.
Vedanta’s presence in
Odisha is significant, with the company operating India’s largest aluminium
plant (1.8 MTPA) in Jharsuguda, and a state-of-the-art alumina refinery (3.5
MTPA) in Kalahandi. Vedanta Aluminium has created over 100,000 direct and
indirect jobs in the state, further solidifying Odisha’s position as a leader
in India’s industrial landscape. Additionally, through investments in coal, bauxite,
ferrochrome, and iron ore, Vedanta plays a critical role in advancing the “Make
in India” initiative, contributing nearly 50% of India’s aluminium production
and reducing the nation’s dependency on imports.
This acquisition marks
another step in Vedanta’s mission to blend business growth with impactful
community development, while positioning Odisha as a nucleus of sports
excellence in India.
