Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), has launched its ‘Sports-Lab’ project that will scout, nurture, and counsel students from less privileged families and train them in various sport disciplines to enable them to excel at the national level. Initially, the programme will reach out to 2000 students from 20 government schools of Haryana. This model is to be emulated in Punjab and other states in the near future. The ‘Sports-Lab’ project will create enhanced awareness about the significance of sports and fitness in daily life and about making it a viable career option, the company said.
Puneet Anand, AVP and Group Head – Corporate Affairs, HMIL, said, “Hyundai is committed to ‘Progress for Humanity’ and through our various CSR initiatives under the global CSR philosophy of ‘CONTINUE’, we have been giving back to society in different ways under the CSR pillar of ‘Hope’. Sports play a vital role in the overall development of children, and we are delighted to launch this initiative to promote sports and fitness among the youth.”
“HMIF envisages the ‘Sports-Lab’ project to be a catalyst for young athletic talent by encouraging them to pursue a stellar career in sports by fostering and developing their abilities. ‘Sports-Lab’ will provide budding athletes the best equipment to augment their athletic skills and use their competencies to pursue a career in sports. We are pleased to be making a difference in the lives of young athletes who, once given the right platform, can go on to achieve great success in the field of sports,” he added.
Hyundai Motor India Foundation is establishing a structure for scouting and training talent from less privileged families. The ‘Sports-Lab’ Project provides physical and theoretical sports training to students and their mentors, from classes 5 to 8. Sports camps and counselling programmes for students and their parents will be organized after school hours to provide insight into viable career opportunities that exist in the field of sports. The initiative will also provide employment opportunities to rural youth. The Hyundai Foundation has collaborated with regional sports academies to provide advanced training to students who wish to follow a career in sports.
