Barbil: The rural sports talents team of Sialijoda and Deojhar villages, supported and promoted by JSPL Foundation, the CSR arm of Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL), has been declared Team Champion for third consecutive year in the 25^th Odisha State Wushu Championship, which concluded last Sunday in Bhubaneswar.

The team which represented Keonjhar district and remained top at the medal tally with 57 including 32 gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze in the tournament, was earlier crowned Team Champion in 2015 and 2016. Sundergarh and Khurda teams with 50 and 31 medals in their pockets, remained at second and third position respectively.

EVP & Unit Head of JSPL’s Barbil unit Suresha G congratulated the team for its brilliant performance. “It’s indeed a matter of pride for all of us and JSPL Foundation as well. Every passing year the students are excelling which proves they are getting the best infrastructure and coaching to show talent. I believe, given a chance these students can win international championships.”

Suresha also wished coach Pankaj Kumar Mohanta, team manager Purandan Giri and team official Prafulla Barik on team’s success.

In the two-day event, organised by Bhubaneswar Wushu Association, the 80-member team claimed all the 15 gold medals in sub-junior category (both men & women) and won five gold medals each in senior men and women category.

Sukanti Munda was declared Best Fighter in Senior Women category.

Mentionably, about 150 tribal students (both boys and girls in age group of 7-14 years) from villages of Deojhar gram panchayat are being trained Wushu and Kick-boxing at Silaijoda since last seven years. Tapping the rural sports talents, JSPL Foundation has been promoting them by providing coaching and infrastructure facilities in the area. Many of these talents have earned laurels at the national level with their super performances.