CSR: Hyundai Foundation Launches ‘Sports Lab’ in Punjab, Training 2,000 Students as Budding Athletes

• 2000 students from 20 schools across Punjab will be enrolled in the ‘Sports-Lab’ project
• Students can choose advanced training in Cricket, Yoga, Hockey, Wrestling, Handball, Football or Softball
• Budding athletes to receive access to advanced training 
• Program ensures gender diverse grassroots participation by targeting students from 5^th to 8^th standard
• Rural youth to be counselled for career opportunities in Sports 

Bhatinda: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) has announced the launch of its ‘Sports-Lab’ project for students from lesser privileged backgrounds. It aims to create heightened awareness about the benefits of sports & fitness in day-to-day life and provide options to those wanting to take it up professionally. Under the program, 2000 students from 20 government schools from Bathinda and Firozpur district of Punjab will be trained in various sport disciplines to take up sports for leisure, at amateur levels or professionally as per their aptitude and interest. 

Commenting on the launch of ‘Sports Lab’, Puneet Anand, AVP & Vertical Head – Corporate Affairs, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “It has been scientifically proved that students who pursue any form of sports generally do well in academics and are better socially adjusted.  Unfortunately, most children do not have access to even the basic sports infrastructure. At Hyundai we are committed towards improving lives through our pursuit of ‘Progress for Humanity’. Under our global CSR philosophy ‘CONTINUE’, we engage with the communities through various CSR initiatives, to resolve social issues.  

We are delighted to launch this initiative to promote sports and fitness amongst youth. HMIF envisages the ‘Sports-Lab’ project to be the catalyst for young athletic talent providing them with the right infrastructure, counselling and encouraging them to pursue sports more actively by developing their abilities and raising awareness on the various options available. We hope that this initiative will inspire students to consider sports as a viable professional option.” 

The ‘Sports-Lab’ Project will provide physical and theoretical training to students from classes 5^th to 8^th. Sports camps and counselling programs for students and their parents will be organized after school hours to provide insight into the various ways that sports can contribute to the overall development of students, including physical and mental health and future career options. For talented students who want to graduate to professional sports , Hyundai Motor India Foundation through their partner Roots Foundation will connect them to regional sports academies.