Press Releases

BALCO Football Championship: 10 trees to be planted for every goal scored

Balconagar, Korba; 19th August, 2023: Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium, recently concluded its highly anticipated Football Championship. The tournament was made even more meaningful by a unique sustainability initiative undertaken by BALCO. The company has pledged to plant 10 trees for every goal scored during the championship. With a total of 75 goals netted throughout the tournament, BALCO is now set to plant an impressive 750 trees in the vicinity of its operations, reflecting its commitment to building a sustainable world.

BALCO’s football tournament witnessed the active participation of over 1500 BALCO employees and business partners. Over the course of 25 days, over 32 formidable teams competed in the championship, showcasing their considerable sporting prowess on the field. It became an opportunity to encourage healthy competition and teamwork among them, which in turn enhances workplace productivity. The event also provided a platform for the participants to immerse themselves in the excitement of football, popularly referred to as ‘the beautiful game’.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director of BALCO said, “At BALCO, we believe in the power of teamwork, both on and off the field. Our Football Championship is a testament to the spirit of unity and camaraderie that defines our organization and its teams. Beyond the goals scored and matches won, this championship exemplifies our commitment to fostering a strong sense of community and sustainability. This unique initiative therefore reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and our resolve to create a greener, healthier future for all. Through our sustainable manufacturing practices and community engagement efforts, we aim continue to create a positive impact on the world around us.”

The Football Championship is the latest addition to BALCO’s extensive track record of fostering employee engagement through sports. In the past, BALCO has successfully organized events like the BALCO Premier League and BALCO Volleyball Tournament, all hosted at the renowned BALCO stadium. This state-of-the-art multi-sports facility has become a hub of sports and athletics, facilitating a wide array of sports, including basketball, football, volleyball, cricket, kabaddi, and more. The arena not only benefits BALCO’s employees and Business Partners but is also accessible to the broader community, thereby driving holistic development.

Adhering to its overarching vision of ‘zero harm, zero waste, and conservation of natural resources,’ BALCO consistently upholds sustainable manufacturing practices that encompass economic, environmental, and social dimensions. As part of its efforts, BALCO planted approximately 1.23 lakh saplings in FY 2023, exemplifying its dedication to nurturing the local ecosystem. Beyond afforestation efforts, BALCO is proactively exploring other green avenues such as diversifying its energy sources, reinforcing its position as a beacon of environmental consciousness within the domestic manufacturing industry.

Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India and. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium. BALCO operates a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is also a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class smelter and power plants, the company fulfills its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.