The Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) team, Odisha Juggernauts have inked their first sponsorship deal with ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS). Following this deal, the world’s leading steelmakers have been named as the team’s official principal team sponsor for the first edition of UKK.
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, and Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company (OSDPC), a state government body, announced this new alliance.
Odisha Juggernauts, the state’s Kho Kho franchise, will participate in the first-ever edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho which is set to commence on August 14, 2022, in Pune, Maharashtra.
The first professional Kho Kho league in India has been initiated with the goal of modernising and popularising the game, which is one of India’s oldest known outdoor sports. The league’s objective is to advertise Kho Kho as an ancient sport and to provide professional opportunities for its best players. The introduction of a professional league coincides with a resurgence of Kho Kho in South Asia and elsewhere, including England and South Africa.
The sponsorship of the Odisha Juggernauts by AM/NS India is an outgrowth of the company’s assistance and dedication to enhancing athletic professionalism in Odisha and India. AM/NS India was also the official partner of the Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup tournament in Bhubaneswar in 2021.
R Vineel Krishna, Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Service, Government of Odisha and Chairman, OSDPC, said, “The Odisha Government has taken up the development of sports as a key thrust area and there have been some remarkable achievements in terms of infrastructure development, hosting of events, and sponsoring sports and sportspersons.
“Our players have also been performing exceptionally well at the national level in indigenous sports like Kho Kho and we are committed to further develop and promote such sports which can attract rural talent. We are very excited for the first edition of Ultimate Kho Kho, our Team Odisha Juggernauts and AM/NS India’s association in our endeavour. We believe that people of Odisha can look forward to an exciting and thrilling tournament over the next couple of weeks.”
Shingo Nakamura, Deputy Director, HR & Administration, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, commented, “AM/NS India believes that sport is a fundamental and integral part of society. We are proud to partner with the Government of Odisha in its maiden venture into professional Kho Kho and are confident that this new national league will go a long way in growing interest and participation in the sport across India and the state of Odisha, especially among young people. We wish the Odisha Juggernauts the very best and look forward to cheering them on.”