News Release Details

Inaugural edition of IndianOil Athletics Meet 2022, LAKSHYA, declared open at Guwahati
New Delhi   26-Sep-2022

Guwahati:The first edition of IndianOil Athletics Meet, Lakshya, was declared open today at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Sarusajai, Guwahati, digitally by Mr S M Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil, in the presence of Mr Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra, Director (HR), IndianOil. The two-day sporting extravaganza that witnesses the participation of top sporting talent of IndianOil will take place between 26th and 27th September 2022.

Declaring the Meet open, Mr S M Vaidya said, "The IndianOil Athletics Meet, Lakshya, celebrates that eternal sporting spirit that IndianOil has always championed. More importantly, for the first time, we now have a platform that transcends divisional boundaries and brings the entire IndianOil family under one umbrella." Speaking of IndianOil's concerted sporting forays, Mr Vaidya added, "IndianOil is leveraging its resources to fuel the ascent of budding sports stars across the country. This year, we have introduced the new and improved IndianOil Acers Sports Scholarship Scheme that will empower 250 young sports scholars across 20 games with nearly Rs 30 crore in financial support. Keeping with our gender-equal focus, fifty per cent of scholarship holders would be women".

The ceremonial flag off of the Torch Rally of this iconic Athletic event was done earlier today at Kamakhya Temple by Mr Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra, Director (Human Resources), IndianOil. Speaking on occasion, Mr Mohapatra said, "At IndianOil, we recognize sports as a cornerstone of wholesome progress. Our corporate values of care, innovation, passion, and trust, resonate strongly with a sportsperson's ethics. The tremendous enthusiasm around this inaugural edition of Lakshya demonstrates how IndianOil has no shortage of sporting passion. I am confident that the teams battling it out for top honours at Guwahati in the event's inaugural edition will shine bright with their on-field brilliance ",

A total of 384 athletes in 27 teams from various divisions of IndianOil will participate in 17 events like 1500 m, 100m, 200m, 400m & 800m track events, High Jump, Shotput, Triple Jump, Long Jump, and Discuss Throw. Athletes will compete in 4 categories - Men, Women, Veterans (Men) and Veterans (Female). The closing ceremony of the Meet will be held on 27th September 2022 and will be presided over by Ms Sukla Mistry, Director (Refineries), IndianOil.

The Assam Athletic Association, Guwahati, is providing technical and other associated support to the IndianOil Guwahati Refinery to organize the special Meet.

IndianOil & Sports
IndianOil's sporting forays are guided by a comprehensive sports policy that aims to reshape the sporting culture in India and make the nation a powerhouse in sports across multiple disciplines. IndianOil has spent around Rs. 190 crores in the last three years on sports promotion, including recruitment, scholarships, awards, incentives, organizing sporting events, sponsorship of sports tournaments, development/maintenance of sports infrastructure, support to prestigious sports academies, etc. Currently, IndianOil has more than 150 active sportspersons on its roll.

IndianOil's remarkable sporting contributions were acknowledged at the highest level when the Corporation was bestowed with the prestigious "Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2021". IndianOil also received the 'Sportstar Aces Award 2022' under 'Best Corporate/PSU' to promote sports.

Dr. Uttiya Bhattacharyya
Executive Director (Corporate Communications)
Indian Oil Corporation Limited