Mumbai, 28th July, 2018: Edelweiss Group, India’s leading diversified financial services conglomerate and long term partner of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) extended their best wishes to members of the Indian contingent participating in the upcoming Asian Games, at a special get-together organised for the athletes in Mumbai today.
Representing the Indian contingent at the event were athletes from diverse sporting disciplines including gymnastics, shooting, volleyball, hockey, golf, boxing, swimming and judo. Edelweiss has a long term commitment to sports, which has a strong resonance with the company’s own culture of excellence.
Along with encouraging athletes to #BeUnlimited in their aspirations, Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance, the life insurance arm of the Group, is enabling their financial security by providing a life insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh to each athlete representing India at the Asian Games 2018. Earlier, Edelweiss had announced a Rs. 1 crore cover for athletes representing India at the Rio Olympics 2016 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. It also provided a Rs. 50 lakh cover for each athlete representing India at the Commonwealth Games that took place earlier this year.
Recognising the power of sports as an enabler for women empowerment, Edelweiss has signed up rising women athletes, Manika Batra, the gold medalist paddler at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and shooter Heena Sidhu, adding to its roster which includes gymnast Dipa Karmakar and captain of the Indian women hockey team, Rani Rampal. Earlier, through its philanthropic arm – EdelGive Foundation, the Group has supported several women athletes like MC Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, Ayonika Paul and continues to support promising medal hopefuls.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rashesh Shah, Chairman & CEO, Edelweiss Group said, “Sports is close to our hearts and we are extremely supportive of our athletes who have risen above all odds and tackled many adversities to reach this stage. Their #BeUnlimited spirit inspires us and we remain committed to their welfare and wish them luck as they head to Jakarta.”Welcoming the women sports champions to the Edelweiss family, he added, “Every time a woman reaches the winning podium, she inspires millions of other young women across the country to break stereotypes, overcome all odds and achieve their dreams.”
Extending his good wishes to the Indian contingent, Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, IOA acknowledged Edelweiss for its role in promoting Olympic sports in the country and said, “This partnership paves the way for many more companies in the private sector to come forward and support the development of sports in the country, nurturing a talent pool that will propel Team India to take its rightful place in the global sporting arena.”
Joining hands with Edelweiss and IOA in cheering and wishing team India, superstar Akshay Kumar, said, “The passion and determination of our athletes is truly inspiring. As they head to Jakarta to represent the dreams of over a billion Indians, I salute their relentless spirit and wish them the very best.” He encouraged them to create history at the Asian Games just as the first Indian hockey team did back in 1948, as depicted in his upcoming movie, Gold. He urged the audience and the nation to join him to motivate and support the team with the lines “Ghar Layenge Gold” from his upcoming release.Present at the event were Heena Sidhu (shooting), Dipa Karmakar (gymnastics), Yuvraj Walmiki (hockey), Anup Valmiki (hockey), Prince Charasia (hockey), Anand Rai (hockey), Harimohan Singh (golf), Aadil Bedi (golf), Mandeep Jangra (boxing), the volleyball team comprising Minimol Abraham, Priyanka Khedkar, Rekha Sreesailam, Nirmala, Anju Balakrishnan, Jini Kovat Shaji, Vir Dhawal Khade (swimming), Navjot Chana (judo) and Sandeep Sejwal (swimming) along with their coaches.
Joining them were the representatives of the Indian contingent to the Asian Paralympic Games 2018 that included Deepa Malik (shot put) and Sandeep Choudhary (javelin).
ADVERTISEMENT
