The first project involves the construction of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Karad, awarded by the Public Works Department (West), Satara. Valued at ₹88.03 crores, the project will be developed for the Karad Municipal Council and is expected to be completed within a 24-month timeline, excluding monsoon interruptions. The second project pertains to the construction of the Divisional Sports Complex at Jalgaon, commissioned by the Divisional Sports Complex Committee. This project carries a contract value of ₹244.31 crores and is slated for completion in 36 months, excluding the monsoon period.

Commenting on the development, Pradeep Khandagale, Chairman & Managing Director of Univastu India Limited, stated, “These state-of-the-art facilities are more than just construction projects; they are an expression of India’s Olympic aspirations. We are proud to contribute to India’s sporting infrastructure, which will not only serve seasoned athletes but also empower local talent and promote grassroots development.”

This announcement comes on the back of strong financial performance by the company. For the financial year ending March 31, 2025, Univastu reported a consolidated revenue of ₹17,117.78 lakhs, marking a substantial rise from ₹12,061.41 lakhs in FY24. Net profit for the same period surged to ₹1,551.26 lakhs, up from ₹1,000.43 lakhs in the previous fiscal year. The company also reported an improvement in earnings per share (EPS), which increased to ₹8.68 in FY25 from ₹6.27 in FY24, reflecting both operational efficiency and robust order execution.

Listed on the NSE, Univastu India Ltd has steadily built a reputation for its execution capabilities, transparent governance, and its diversified portfolio that includes projects across transportation, healthcare, education, and sports infrastructure. With a growing focus on nation-building and development-linked projects, Univastu continues to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s next-generation infrastructure.

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PUNE: Swapnil Kusale, who made India proud by winning a bronze medal at his debut Olympics in Paris, extended heartfelt gratitude to Amol Ravetkar by visiting his office on Prabhat Road yesterday on the occasion of National Sports Day.

Thanking Amol Ravetkar, Kusale remarked, “During the early and critical phase of my career Amol Ravetkar provided steadfast support and provided the much-needed financial assistance for my training. An athlete related to shooting sports has to take up a lot of expenses for equipment, ammunition, and for travel to competitions. Ravetkar’s financial support in those days alleviated that burden. Timely assistance like this undoubtedly enhances the performance of an athlete.”

On the occasion of National Sports Day, when asked what message he would give to aspiring athletes, Kusale said, “Athletes should always focus on nutrition and fitness. They should remember that great achievement is possible only with dedication and hard work.”

Amol Ravetkar said, “We are extremely pleased that Swapnil has rewarded our support by winning an Olympic medal for the country. When I first met Swapnil, he was a 19-year-old lad with a humble demeanor and big dreams. These qualities impressed me, and we decided to support him. It is heartening to see that despite his historic achievement at the Olympics, his humility and conduct remain unchanged. As a gesture of continued support, we are contributing ₹5 lakhs towards his future training and endeavors. We hope Swapnil continues to win more medals for the country and bring greater recognition to Maharashtra.”

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Speaking about his training, Swapnil said, “I have been training with Maharashtra’s Sports Academy since 2008. When in Pune, I practice shooting at Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex at Balewadi“

Adding further he said, “To achieve success in any sport, one must stay away from social media and negativity of any kind.  Mental health is crucial and now I aim to win the gold medal at the next Olympics.”

Recalling his first visit to Pune after winning the medal, Swapnil mentioned that his neighbors had beautifully decorated his home to welcome him. He said he now looked forward to returning to Kolhapur, where he planned on taking a two-month break from shooting before starting preparations for the next Olympics.

Thousands of citizens gathered to congratulate and celebrate Swapnil. Swapnil’s performance at the Olympics has inspired many young people across the country.

Raghuvendra Deshpande expressed pride in having Swapnil as a resident and noted that the children in the society were now dreaming of winning medals in cycling and swimming, inspired by Swapnil’s achievements.

Vilas Javdekar congratulated Swapnil and expressed the hope that he would bring home a gold medal in the future while advising him not to feel burdened by this expectation.

The post Celebrating Swapnil Kusale: The Bronze Medal Shooter Making Waves at the Paris Olympics appeared first on NRI News.

“I am humbled and proud to represent my country in my successive Olympic Games as a Jury official. I would like to thank the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and the ISSF for their support and trust in my work,” Pawan said.

“The Paris Games will be very special for me for more than one reason. It is going to be my second Olympics, and India will be sending their biggest shooting contingent. We will be having 21 shooters competing for 27 medals at Paris, which is second after China,” he said.

“One more big reason for me to be happy is the news of my dear friend Gagan Narang getting selected as Chef-de-Mission of the Indian contingent,” Pawan added.

Pawan and Gagan are the co-founders of Gun For Glory Shooting Academy (GFG). Two shooters from the Gun For Glory academy, Elavenil Valarivan and Ramita, are also part of the Indian shooting team and will represent the country in Women’s 10m air rifle events.

GFG has won a total of 330 International Medals since its inception.

Recently in the Olympic Selection Trials, six shooters from GFG participated in various categories. Elavenil and Ramita qualified for the Paris Olympics by winning the trials, during these trials both performed excellently. Ramita in the last qualification shot an incredible score of 636.4 and Elavenil in the finals shot 254.3, an unofficial world record.

Being director of the NRAI education program, Pawan has also conducted many courses for judges and juries.

Here are the details:

2023-24 – Total Coaches/Officials/Referee Trained
ISSF Coaches 65
ISSF Judges 36

NRAI Coaches 86
NRAI Judges 92
NRAI Referee 20

The post Pawan Singh To Be The First Ever Indian Jury Selected To Officiate At Consecutive Olympic Games In Shooting Sports appeared first on NRI News.

PARIS, FRANCE: The JSW Group marked Olympic Day with the inauguration of an exhibition that celebrates the life and legacy of Pierre de Coubertin, the Founder of the Olympic Movement, along with commemorating 100 years of India’s presence at the Games, in the host city of Paris, on Sunday.

Chairperson of the JSW Foundation, Mrs. Sangita Jindal, and Inspire Institute of Sport Founder, Parth Jindal were joined by President of the IOC, Mr. Thomas Bach, Minister of Culture, Madame Rachida Dati, Ambassador of India to the Republic of France, His Excellency Jawed Ashraf and the President of the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association, Mrs. Alexandra de Navacelle to open the exhibition that will be hosted at the Town Hall of the 7th Arrondissement, Paris, and will go on till the end of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in September.

Speaking on the occasion, Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of the JSW Foundation said, “JSW Group is pleased to support the curation of ‘100 Years of India at Olympics’ at the Genius of Sport exhibition in Paris. Through this unique Exhibition, we celebrate the life and legacy of Pierre De Coubertin and 100 years of India’s remarkable Olympic journey and success. We share Pierre De Coubertin’s vision and belief that Sports can change the world differently by transcending borders and bringing people together in the spirit of peace and friendship. The 2024 Olympics is an important milestone for JSW Group. We are proud to support this exhibition as well as Team India in Paris.  Through these efforts, we reiterate our commitment to foster and nurture the sporting culture and talent in India.”

The exhibition, in association with the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association, comprises a detailed walkthrough of India’s Olympic journey over the last century, the success the country has enjoyed in the past, and its recent resurgence with an eye on the future.

Parth Jindal, Founder of the Inspire Institute of Sport said, “We are honored to partner with the Pierre de Coubertin family for what we believe is a special showcase of the Olympic movement and the part India has played in it. We are on the cusp of the greatest sporting event in the world, and it was our desire at JSW to do something more in the city of Paris. As a country, we want to take forward the ideals of Pierre de Coubertin. We want the world to be a peaceful place, and the role that sport could play in that regard is enormous.

It is our mission at JSW Sports to further the Olympic movement, not just in India, but in the world. The Inspire Institute of Sport will be represented by close to 30 athletes as part of Team India at the Games next month, and our effort is to keep increasing that number with every passing Olympic cycle. India’s rise as an economic power is evident. But it is through sport that a country’s soft power is truly showcased, and we will play our part in making this happen.“

Thomas Bach, President of the IOC said, “Thanks to this magnificent exhibition, the public will be able to discover and rediscover an astonishing and multi-faceted man and measure the extent of his work. France and the French people should be proud to have a compatriot like Pierre de Coubertin. A visionary whose message of a world united in peaceful competition through sport resonates even more strongly today.”

His Excellency Jawed Ashraf, Ambassador of India to the Republic of France, thanked the JSW Group for putting together the exhibition that will be on until September 10 and will be open to the public.

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PUNE: Gera Developments Private Limited (GDPL), renowned pioneers in Real Estate, and recipients of multiple awards for their premium residential and commercial projects across Pune, Goa, and California, hosted the latest session in its signature series, ‘Meet the Champion’, featuring illustrious Indian Olympic boxer, Mary Kom.

The six-time World Amateur Boxing champion is part of the celebrity-led academies at Gera’s ChildCentric^® Homes, commencing her collaboration with Gera’s Island of Joy, East Kharadi^, Pune, via her academy, Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation.

The event featured Ms. Mary Kom in discussion with Kumar Gera, Chairman, of Gera Developments Private Limited, and meeting the customers of Gera’s Island of Joy. The 2012 Olympic medallist spoke about her journey of having come from a challenging background to becoming a boxing legend, a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and hard work. With medals in all eight AIBA World Boxing Championships, rising to World No.1 in the AIBA world rankings for a light flyweight, and winning India’s first-ever Olympic medal in the London 2012 Games, Ms. Mary Kom’s story resonates deeply, inspiring countless individuals worldwide.

This year’s event was particularly significant as it aimed to draw attention to the tenth anniversary of Gera’s ChildCentric^® Homes, coinciding with the launch of its largest project ever, Gera’s Island of Joy. GDPL has collaborated with world-renowned experts to bring world-class infrastructure directly to residents’ doorsteps. These partnerships offer children opportunities for high-quality coaching in various fields such as performing arts, sports, and personal development, ensuring they can explore and nurture their passions in a safe and supportive environment.

The recent event, aimed at showcasing the addition of Ms. Mary Kom as an expert to the academies integral to Gera’s ChildCentric^® Homes, received an overwhelming response from attendees.

Speaking about the collaboration, Mary Kom said, “I am honored to be associated with Gera’s ChildCentric^® Homes. It’s inspiring to see a brand dedicated to nurturing children’s talents and dreams, as this is crucial for fostering future champions. Together with Gera Developments, we can empower the next generation to achieve their greatest potential.”

Expanding on the concept, Rohit Gera, Managing Director, of Gera Developments said, “Gera’s ChildCentric® Homes intend to give parents the right environment to identify and nurture the talents of their children. Our academies are led by celebrities who are world-renowned experts in their respective fields, from P. Gopichand in Badminton to Shankar Mahadevan in Music. As we enter our tenth year, we are thrilled to collaborate with Ms. Mary Kom, and her academy, Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation, and add a new dimension to our offerings at Gera’s ChildCentric^® Homes.”

Rohit Gera further highlighted that the initiative was born from a vision to address the manifold challenges faced by urban parents. “By recognizing these challenges, GDPL embarked on a mission to transform residential spaces, and offered thoughtfully curated celebrity-led learning academies with top-notch coaching in various disciplines, reinforcing Gera’s commitment to nurturing talent and passion among children,” he concluded. The success of Gera’s ChildCentric® Homes is evident not only in industry accolades but also in the satisfaction of over 3,500 families. Esteemed platforms such as Realty+ Conclave & Excellence Awards have recognized the initiative as the “Themed Project Of The Year,” putting the spotlight on its impact and significance in the real estate industry.

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“I worked hard to reach the timing, this is not just my win but this victory is for my coach Martin Owens. I believed that if I made a perfect start I would own the race. The target is to breach the Olympic qualification mark,” expressed Animesh, who trains at the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High-Performance Center. The sprinter will now shift base to Europe for international training and upcoming competitions. (Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C68es8QNqCo/?igsh=Nm95azRkbzZmbXNs)

The flurry of Personal Bests (PBs) 

Pragyan Sahu (Silver) and Moumita Mondal (Bronze) marked their personal bests in the women’s 100m Hurdles with timings of 13.40s and 13.64s respectively as RF athletes bagged two podium finishes in the event. Moumita showed impressive fortitude as she won two bronzes on the same evening. Ashok Dandasena qualified for the 1500m finals with a personal best effort of 3:46.49s but couldn’t finish on the podium despite an impressive effort. Young Laxmipriya Kisan also continued her improvement by registering two personal bests.

Talking about the athlete’s performance, Martin Owens, Head Coach at Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High-Performance Centre said, “It was an excellent campaign and the athletes exceeded our expectations. Very proud of Ramandeep Kaur who showed a lot of grit and overcame a fever to win bronze in the 400m hurdles. Pragyan put in another commanding performance and is looking very good. We had a lot of personal bests too with Animesh leading the way. Laxmipriya Kisan got two PBs too in the 800m and 1500m events. Susmita Tigga and Laluprasad Bhoi finished just outside of the medals in fourth place but showed a lot of promise again.“

Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C68iZQjt7qQ/?igsh=MXM2MzB4OWpubHJ3aQ%3D%3D

Gold rush for throwers

On the track, Ramandeep Kaur clinched a bronze in the women’s  400m Hurdles in 1:01.29s. RF’s endurance program athletes clean swept the 5000m event as Sawan Barwal sealed gold with 13:51.01s, Harmanjot Singh finished second with 13:51.61 and Kiran Matre finished third by clocking 13:52.62s to round off the podium. Mohammed Afsal secured a bronze in the men’s 800m event with a timing of 1:50.44s.

The Reliance Foundation jumpers and throwers had a spate of remarkable performances with Moumita claiming her second bronze medal in the meet in the long jump event with a leap of 6.18m. High Jumper Swadhin Majhi won a silver by clearing 2.09m. Damneet Singh struck gold in hammer throw with a best effort of 66.28m and discus thrower Nidhi Rani also grabbed gold with a throw of 52.55m. (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6_V7eEJfEf/?igsh=MWY3eGd2ajdndXFsMg%3D%3D)

RF had the top two finishers in the women’s Hammer Thrower event as Harshita Sehrawat clinched the gold medal (59.1m) and Tanya Chaudhary won silver (56.51m). 

Pole Vaulters Rosy Meena and Baranica Elangovan delivered another gold and silver with efforts of 4.05m and 4.00m respectively during the meet.

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BHUWANESHWAR: In a major boost to Indian athletics and swimming, Chief Minister Sh Naveen Patnaik, today inaugurated India’s first Indoor Athletics Centre and Indoor Aquatic Centre at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. He also laid the foundation stone for the Indoor Diving Centre.

The Indoor Athletics Centre stands as India’s first capable of hosting indoor continental and regional championships. This world-class facility will be a training ground for the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High Performance Centre, which was established in association with Reliance Foundation, and has been producing young athletics champions.

The centre boasts a 10,000-square-meter track, installed by the renowned Italian firm, Mondo SpA, used in Olympics, marking a pioneering feat within the country. The centre includes a 200-meter synthetic track, an 80m+20m running track, and designated areas for long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and shot-put, each meticulously designed to meet specific athletic requirements.

Accommodating the needs of high-performance athletes, the facility features 60 twin-sharing rooms for those undergoing full-time coaching. Its iconic stature was solidified with the esteemed Category 1 certification from World Athletics in December 2023.

The Indoor Aquatic Centre features temperature controlled 50m Olympic size swimming pool and 25 m warm up pool with a seating capacity for 1000 spectators and can host international championships. fitness centre, sports recovery facility and accommodation facility with 26 twin sharing rooms. The Odisha Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) HPC, a joint venture with JSW group, will be operational from this aquatic center.

The Central PSU – NALCO has contributed towards the construction of the Indoor Aquatics Center as a CSR funding.

The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone for Indoor Diving Centre that will be built at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The Diving Centre will feature temperature controlled diving pool of 25 m, with an additional 5m for Synchronized Swimming and seating capacity for 500 spectators.

Speaking on this occasion, Chief Minister Sh Naveen Patnaik, said “The new indoor facilities will provide our athletes to train and compete, round the year, without any external weather disturbances. We are confident that both Indoor Athletics Centre and the Aquatic Centre will certainly help set new standards for sporting excellence on both international and national stages. It also marks an important step further strengthening Odisha’s robust sports ecosystem and our partnership with Reliance Foundation, JSW & Inspire Institute of Sports.“

Chairman 5T & Nabin Odisha, Kartik  Pandian was present during the event and interacted with the athletes and swimmers.

The President Athletic Federation of India, Sh Adille Sumariwala, Secretary Swimming Federation of India Sh Monal Choksi, Veteran Sports Administrator Sh Ashirbad Behera, representatives from the State associations and sports persons were present on this occasion.

Sports & Youth Services Minister, Sh Tusharkanti Behera, Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Department, Sh Vineel Krishna, Sridhar Patra, CMD Nalco, Aasish Contractor, Director Reliance Foundation, Mustafa Ghouse, CEO JSW Sports and other dignitaries were part of the ceremony.

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DreamSetGo, India’s premium sports experiences and travel platform, will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive services to the Indian delegation, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey to Paris. The partnership encompasses all travel services and ground support in Paris through the duration of the Olympic Games with a focus on delivering world-class experiences for sports fans.

As the Official Hospitality and Travel partner to several renowned global rights holders to major sporting events, DreamSetGo brings unparalleled expertise and a proven track record in managing the travel and hospitality needs of sports fans on a global scale. This collaboration solidifies DreamSetGo’s commitment to delivering excellence in sports travel and hospitality.

Dr. PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to join forces with DreamSetGo for the upcoming marquee year. This partnership will undoubtedly elevate the experience for the Indian Olympic Delegation, providing them with top-notch services and ensuring their journey to support the Indian Olympic Team be both memorable and hassle-free.”

DreamSetGo will leverage its extensive network and experience to make traveling to Paris in the summer a seamless and once-in-a-lifetime experience. They will provide the ground support that will aid in executing a successful campaign for the Indian Olympic Team.

Speaking about the partnership with IOA, Monish Shah, Founder, and Chief Business Officer – DreamSetGo, said “We are honored to partner with the Indian Olympic Association and hope to elevate the Olympic experience for hundreds of athletes, their families and various federations. From being a cricket-loving nation, India has transformed into one of the biggest consumers of international sports. As India emerges as a strong global sporting nation, DreamSetGo aims to enable Indians with end-to-end experiences, right from taking care of travel needs, and accommodations, to offering unique money-can’t-buy experiences. Travelers need not worry about anything along the way with us as their travel partner.”

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The support is part of GNSPF’s flagship program of supporting athletes for the Olympic Games, and Walther has been supporting GNSPF for many years, showing their faith in the foundation’s initiative, yet again. The rifles gifted to the Paris quota holders are expected to help them win not just their place in the final team but also clinch gold medals in their respective events at the Paris Games.

The press conference was addressed by London Games bronze medallist shooter Gagan Narang, who is also the Co-Founder of Gun for Glory Shooting Academy and Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Gagan Narang was joined by Bernhard Knobel, CEO -of Carl Walther GmbH, Germany, Drager Bjorn Klaus-Director of Sales Carl Walther GmbH, Germany, Peter Performance rifle coach, former world champion and five times Olympian, and Pawan Singh-Joint Secretary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Judges Committee Member of the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) and the Co-Founder of Gun for Glory Shooting Academy.

“It is a moment of pride and satisfaction to see a company like Walther living the same dream as us. I have used Walther rifles to win medals at every possible level. To see the legendary company coming to support us in our endeavor to help other Indian shooters win medals at the Olympics is a big motivation for all of us,” Narang said.

Walther’s rifles are technically superior and technologically advanced, and Narang hopes that the rifles gifted to the Paris quota holders will help them win not just their place in the final team but also clinch gold medals in their respective events at the Paris Games.

“Our association with India and Indian shooters goes back a long way. We, along with the GNSPF, want to see Indian shooters do well at every competition they participate in. It is our honor that top Indian shooters trust Walther rifles and are doing so well at the international level. India is a huge country with thousands of talented shooting athletes, and Walther is the leading gun manufacturer in the world, so together, we can create many new champions,” said Bernhard Knobel.

Former World Champion and Gun For Glory shooter Rudrankksh Patil said that getting support from Walther at the right time will help him do even better in the months to come. “Shooting is a sport of precision, and Walther has always ensured making their guns after getting feedback from the shooters across the world. I am glad to have got this support from them in the form of their latest rifle, which will help me do well ahead of the Paris Olympics,“.

Quota holder Mehuli Ghosh, who is preparing for her first Olympics, said, “The first rifle that I saw was a Walther. Since then, whatever scores I have shot or medals I have won, have come using Walther rifles. I am happy to have got the latest rifle from them.“

Swaroop Unhalkar, who is gearing up to win a quota place for the Paris Games, also thanked Gun For Glory Academy and Walther for their support. “It is heartening to see Gun For Glory, Pawan Singh, and Gagan Narang sir doing so much for para-sport. I would like to thank them and Walther for their support as it will help me in my journey ahead“.

GNSPF and Walther’s support for Paris quota winners with high-end rifles is expected to help them win not just their place in the final team but also clinch gold medals in their respective events at the Paris Games. The rifles gifted to the Paris quota holders are technically superior and technologically advanced, and the support from Walther is a big motivation for all Indian shooters to win medals at the Olympics.

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