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Bhubaneswar: <\/strong>Vedanta Limited has announced its acquisition of the Kalinga Lancers, a premier hockey team based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, at a franchisee event held ahead of the highly anticipated return of the Hockey India League (HIL). This acquisition reinforces Vedanta\u2019s long-standing commitment to promoting sports in Odisha, a region where the company has played a pivotal role in socio-economic development for over two decades.<\/p>\n The Kalinga Lancers, former HIL champions, were previously co-owned by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). Vedanta Aluminium now assumes full ownership, with a vision to build on the team\u2019s legacy of excellence and elevate its standing in future HIL seasons.<\/p>\n Commenting on this landmark acquisition, Ms Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc, stated:<\/p>\n \u201cAt Vedanta, we are committed to transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse. Hockey has been one of the pillars of India\u2019s sports success, with recent Olympic victories further highlighting its potential. With our acquisition of the Kalinga Lancers, we are investing not only in the team but in the future of Indian hockey. Through enhanced infrastructure, grassroots talent scouting, and focused training, we aim to foster a new generation of athletes who will proudly represent India on the world stage.\u201d<\/p>\n Vedanta\u2019s strategic focus will be on assembling a competitive team for the upcoming HIL season while bolstering infrastructure, securing sponsorships, and exploring partnerships to strengthen the Lancers\u2019 position in the league.<\/p>\n Leveraging Odisha\u2019s world-class sports facilities and rich hockey culture, Vedanta sees this acquisition as a crucial step in both the regional and national growth of the sport. This aligns with the company\u2019s broader mission of fostering socio-economic progress in Odisha while supporting the state\u2019s role as India\u2019s aluminium hub and a vital contributor to national self-reliance.<\/p>\n Vedanta\u2019s presence in Odisha is significant, with the company operating India\u2019s largest aluminium plant (1.8 MTPA) in Jharsuguda, and a state-of-the-art alumina refinery (3.5 MTPA) in Kalahandi. Vedanta Aluminium has created over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state, further solidifying Odisha\u2019s position as a leader in India\u2019s industrial landscape. Additionally, through investments in coal, bauxite, ferrochrome, and iron ore, Vedanta plays a critical role in advancing the \u201cMake in India\u201d initiative, contributing nearly 50% of India\u2019s aluminium production and reducing the nation\u2019s dependency on imports.<\/p>\n This acquisition marks another step in Vedanta\u2019s mission to blend business growth with impactful community development while positioning Odisha as a nucleus of sports excellence in India.<\/p>\nLike this:<\/h3>\n