Grassroots To Glory – Sports Champions Thrive At Jio Institute Campus

As India's top young athletes basked in their glory after the Asian Games, the spotlight turned to the place that nurtured many of them, in India. Jio Institute along with Reliance Foundation for Youth Sports (RFYS) has setup a state-of-the-art Athletics Centre at its campus in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, which has been a home for young sports stars. It includes a world-class track and field facility used for running,

shot-put, high-jump, long-jump, javelin, and a high-performance center for athletic training. It has already enabled a new generation of Indian stars to take on the world, with more in the making. The broader vision of Reliance Foundation & Jio Institute is to inculcate sporting culture and develop sports academy. To this end, Jio Institute also offers a PGP in Sports Management.

Once again, Jyothi made India proud at the FISU World University Games 2023, securing the bronze medal in the women's 100m hurdles event. Overcoming a slow start, she unleashed a burst of energy after the 60m mark to claim a podium spot in a thrilling finish, with just 0.06 seconds separating the top three.

India sent a contingent of 230 athletes to the FISU World University Games in Chengdu from 28th July to 8th August, 2023; netting an impressive tally of 25 medals (11 Gold, 5 Silver, 9 Bronze), including 14 shooting medals.

Clocking an impressive 12.78 seconds and breaking her own national record for the tenth time, Jyothi showcased exceptional skills and resilience, becoming the first Indian woman to complete the 100m hurdles in under 13 seconds. Jyothi Yarraji is an RFYS Fellowship recipient, being trained at Jio Institute campus.

Shortly thereafter, Amlan Borgohain, the national record-holder, who also trains at campus, claimed another Bronze with a season-best time of 20.55s in the Men’s 200m. The achievements of budding athletes like Jyothi and Amlan highlight the importance of institutional support in empowering grassroots development in sports and athletics.

While the elite programmes receive significant acclaim, Jio Institute's commitment to nurturing sporting talent commences at the grassroots, exemplified by the recent hosting of the Raigad District Track and Field Sports Championship. Attended by over 250 participants and overseen by experienced coaches, the Championship, open to male and female athletes aged 14-20, featured 14 distinct events and a total of 30 competitions spanning various track and field disciplines. These events encompassed sprints like the 60m, 80m, 100m, and 200m races, as well as middle-distance and long-distance events, along with field events such as shot put, discus throw, long jump, and triathlon. The winners went on to compete at the state-level. The event, serving as a crucial component of Jio Institute's

partnerships with sports associations, marked a significant milestone for many participants, providing them with a first-time experience of competing at such exceptional sporting facilities, offering them an experience of a lifetime.

The Reliance Foundation & Jio Institute are committed to developing India's resurgent sports culture and creating a platform for young talent to emerge and thrive. Events like these are important steps in this endeavour, creating a robust competitive structure that helps athletes hone their skills, advance to higher levels and prepare for the world stage.