Mumbai: In a significant move to promote sports beyond the mainstream, NTPC Ltd., India’s largest integrated power utility, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to support the promotion and development of rugby in India.
The MoA was signed by Mr. V. Jayanarayanan, Chief General Manager (HR/CSR/LA/R&R), NTPC, and Mr. Gerald Prabhu, Hon. Secretary, IRFU. The collaboration aims to strengthen training programs, capacity building, and talent development across all levels of Indian rugby—paving the way for young athletes to showcase their skills on national and international platforms.
This initiative is part of NTPC’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy focused on youth empowerment and sports development. Through its support, NTPC seeks to create more opportunities for budding sportspersons and contribute to a culture of fitness, teamwork, and excellence in Indian sports.
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Expanding Sports Support Beyond Rugby
NTPC’s association with rugby comes alongside its ongoing support for archery in India. Since 2018, the company has been a key backer of the sport and recently renewed its partnership with the Archery Association of India (AAI), committing a financial support of ₹2,420 lakh over four years to boost archery infrastructure and training nationwide.
By supporting both rugby and archery, NTPC is diversifying its sports development initiatives, helping lesser-known sports reach a wider audience and enabling athletes from all backgrounds to pursue professional sporting careers.
NTPC: Powering India’s Energy and Social Progress
Apart from its sports-focused CSR, NTPC continues to lead India’s energy sector, currently operating with an installed capacity of 83 GW, and an additional 30.90 GW under construction, including 13.3 GW of renewable energy projects. The company is aligned with India’s Net Zero goals, aiming to achieve 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.
NTPC’s diverse portfolio includes thermal, hydro, solar, and wind energy, and the company is rapidly expanding into e-mobility, battery storage, green hydrogen, pumped hydro storage, waste-to-energy, and even nuclear power. It has also entered the power distribution sector by participating in bids for Union Territories.
Empowering the Nation Beyond Power
NTPC’s partnership with IRFU underlines its commitment to nation-building beyond electricity, demonstrating how corporate participation in sports development can unlock new opportunities for India’s youth and foster inclusive growth.
About NTPC
NTPC Limited is India’s largest power utility, established in 1975 to accelerate power development in the country and now contributing to about one-fourth of India’s power requirement. Formerly the National Thermal Power Corporation, it has expanded its focus from coal-based power to a diverse mix including hydro, nuclear, and renewable energy sources, with a goal to reach 130 GW of installed capacity by 2032. Besides power generation, NTPC is involved in coal mining, oil/gas exploration, power trading, and distribution, and is recognized as a “Maharatna” Central Public Sector Undertaking.
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