Bokaro: Young archers from Vedanta ESL Archery Academy have made a remarkable impact at the NTPC Cherukuri Lenin Volga Memorial National Archery Championship, held from March 20 to 30 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The championship, one of the most prestigious events in Indian archery, saw tough competition with over 60 participants from across the country in each category.
Among the standout performers were two rising stars from Jharkhand. Fourteen-year-old Kritika Kumari from Siyaljori secured the gold medal in the Under-14, 30m Girls Team event. Known for her consistent performances, Kritika has previously represented Jharkhand at various national tournaments and continues to impress with her skill and determination.
Joining her was 10-year-old Yavna Yadav from Moonidih, who earned a silver medal in the Under-10, 15m Olympic Round Individual category. A Class 4 student at DAV CBSE, Yavna has already built a strong reputation with a growing collection of medals from national competitions, marking her as a promising young talent in the sport.
These achievements reflect the growing success of Vedanta ESL Archery Academy’s grassroots sports development program. Established in 2020 as part of ESL Steel Limited’s CSR initiative, the academy is located within the company’s Siyaljori plant premises and supports 50 young archers from rural areas, providing professional training, nutritional guidance, and all-round development across age groups up to 21 years.
Speaking on the occasion, Kunal Daripa, Head of CSR at Vedanta ESL, expressed pride in the young archers’ accomplishments. He stated, “We are immensely proud of Kritika and Yavna. Their performances are not just a result of their hard work but also a reflection of our strong commitment to nurturing sports talent from the grassroots. At Vedanta ESL, we continue to invest in youth development through sport, and we believe these young athletes will inspire many others.”
The recent success at the national championship reinforces the academy’s growing reputation as a hub for young archery talent in Jharkhand and underscores the importance of sustained investment in grassroots sports. With continued training and support, athletes like Kritika and Yavna are poised to bring even greater glory to their state and the nation.
