Page 64 - Tata-Trusts-Annual-Report-2021-22

OF
HOPE

Mansi achieves sporting excellence,

one step at a time

Mansi Negi has always stood out. Even in her choice of a The Trusts’ Sports portfolio continues to focus on sports
competitive athletic field—race walking—which is not widely development and promotion as a significant tool for
known in India. But the spry walker from Chamoli district in socio-economic upliftment amongst underserved communities. As
Uttarakhand earned celebrity status in her home state after a result, HMS supported Mansi by providing daily nutritional
winning a gold medal at the inaugural Khelo India School Games in supplements based on advice from expert sports nutritionists,
the 3000 metres race walking category in 2018-19. medical, physiotherapy, and massage services, and facilitated her
travel and boarding arrangements during tournaments. Freed from
Rigorously guided and trained by Dronacharya awardee Anoop having to worry about her training expenditures, the programme
Bisht at the Maharana Pratap Sports School in Dehradun, Mansi allowed Mansi to fully focus on her training.
now has her sights set on qualifying for and representing India at
the Olympics. “The timely support given by Himmotthan has contributed
immensely to my growth as an athlete. I was able to compete with
But Mansi’s journey has been far from easy. She su ered a massive established Indian athletes at a national event because of the
setback following her father’s demise six years ago. timely nutrition, health, and logistical support I received from HMS
Pandemic-necessitated lockdowns disrupted her training routine and my coach Shree Anup Singh Bisht,” says Mansi.
and diminished her savings. As a result, the youngster found it
di cult to cope with her emotional trauma, coupled with the That has paid o and is reflected in Mansi’s
strenuous physical and financial demands of her training schedule sporting achievements. She won a gold medal
in Dehradun. at the 20 National Federation Cup Junior,
th
two silver medals at other national
It was the launch of the "Education and Sports Initiative in championships, and two gold medals at
Uttarakhand” by Tata Trusts‘ associate organisation - Himmotthan state championships during 2020-2022.
Society (HMS)—in 2020 that o ered Mansi renewed hope about
her sporting future. She was selected among 16 talented
sportspersons to train at the Maharana Pratap Sports college. The
selection was made on the basis of athletes’ performance during
Mansi Negi is among 16 athletes from Uttarakhand who
advanced competitive training sessions. received support under Tata Trusts’ Education and Sports
Initiative in Uttarakhand programme

10 REDUCED
INEQUALITIES
PROJECT ALIGNS WITH SDG

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