Adani Sportsline
Adani Sportsline is the sporting branch of the Adani Group, an Indian multinational conglomerate based in Ahmedabad, India, with a presence in ports, logistics, energy, utility, and infrastructure.
Adani Sportsline owns multiple sports teams across various leagues, mostly under the moniker ‘Gujarat Giants’. These include teams in the Women’s Premier League, Pro Kabaddi League, Ultimate Kho Kho League, Legends League Cricket, and International League T20 (under the name ‘Gulf Giants’).[1]
Adani Sportsline also has academies for cricket, football, tennis, basketball, speed skating, and skateboarding at their home base in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Additionally, they organize the Ahmedabad Marathon, an annual marathon that raises money for India’s Armed Forces.
Adani also have other sports initiatives, including a 2016 nationwide program to prepare athletes for Rio Olympics called 'Garv Hai'. It was relaunched for a second time to groom athletes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2022 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. The program focuses on archery, shooting, athletics, boxing, and wrestling.
Beneficiaries of the ‘Garv Hai’ [2] pilot project in 2016 include Ankita Raina (tennis), Pinki Jangra (boxing), Shiva Thapa (boxing), Khushbir Kaur (athletics), Inderjeet Singh (athletics), Mandeep Jangra (boxing), Malaika Goel (shooting), Deepak Punia (wrestling), KT Irfan (Racewalking) and Sanjivani Jadhav (athletics).
The current athletes supported by the ‘Garv Hai’ initiative include Chess grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, Deepak Punia (wrestling), Ravi Dahiya (wrestling), and Poymantee Baiswa (table tennis).
Additionally, the Adani Foundation supports Amir Hussain Lone, a differently-abled cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir.[3]
The Adani Group also has naming rights on Hegvold Stadium (now known as Adani Arena) in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, and the pavilion end of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.[4]
About Adani Group
[edit]Adani Group is an organization in India comprising several publicly traded companies. It has created a transport and utility infrastructure portfolio that has a pan-India presence. Adani Group is headquartered in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, India.
Furthermore, the Adani Group is involved in multiple sports. They have team in the Pro Kabaddi League, the Women’s Premier League, the Ultimate Kho Kho League [5] and the ILT20.
The Adani Group’s Garv Hai program is discovers and nurtures India's future sports talents. They have also ventured into Cricket with the Gujarat Giants taking part in the Women’s Premier League, the Gulf Giants taking part in the International League T20, and the Gujarat Giants in the Legends League Cricket.[1]
Adani Sportsline Teams
[edit]The Adani Sportsline Group owns teams in the Women’s Premier League,[6] the Pro Kabaddi League,[7] the Ultimate Kho Kho League , the Legends League Cricket, and the now-defunct Big Bout League, each of which are called ‘Gujarat Giants’. They also have a team in the International League T20 competition which is held in the United Arab Emirates. This team is known as the ‘Gulf Giants’. The Gulf Giants were the inaugural champions of the ILT20.
Women’s Premier League - Gujarat Giants
[edit]Gujarat Giants were one of the original five teams in the WPL.[6] Initially mentored by Mithali Raj and coached by Rachael Haynes, they were led by Beth Mooney[8] before Sneh Rana took over because of an injury to Mooney.[9] The Giants were placed at the bottom of the table in each of their first two seasons of WPL.[10]
Pro Kabaddi League - Gujarat Giants
[edit]Joining the league as one of its newer teams in PKL Season 5, the Gujarat Giants made it to the finals of the 2017 and 2018 editions of the PKL, but being runners up both times.[11]
In PKL Season X, the team underwent a major change in leadership, with Ram Mehar Singh replacing the incumbent Manpreet Singh as coach, with Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali being brought in as the team captain.[12] The Giants reached the playoffs in Season X, but were ultimately defeated by finalists Haryana Steelers in the Eliminator.[13]
International League T20 - Gulf Giants
[edit]The Adani Group is among the six franchise owners in the UAE’s International League T20, an annual cricket event held between January and February. This league, sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board, features six teams competing in 34 matches. The Gulf Giants, clinched the championship in the league's debut season.[14]
The league serves as a platform for budding cricketers from the UAE to gain exposure. It marks Adani Sportsline's inaugural venture into international cricket. The Gulf Giants made it to the playoffs in Season 2 after being the champions in Season 1.[15]
Ultimate Kho Kho League - Gujarat Giants
[edit]The Gujarat Giants' Kho Kho team competes in the Ultimate Kho Kho League held every year. The Gujarat Giants Kho Kho won Season 2 of the Ultimate Kho Kho League under the leadership of Akshay Bhangre.[16]
Big Bout League - Gujarat Giants
[edit]In 2019, the Gujarat Giants boxing team, led by Amit Panghal, entered the Big Bout Boxing League. With fighters like Ashish Kumar and Poonam Punia, they clinched the inaugural championship.[17]
Ahmedabad Marathon
[edit]The Ahmedabad Marathon, initiated by the Adani Group in 2017, is an annual event where the proceeds are given to India’s armed forces. The race features multiple categories, including the full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K runs. The event sees over 1500 defense personnel actively participating every year.
Since 2021, the marathon is a part of the ‘Global Marathon Event List - AIMS World Running’.[18]
In its seventh edition, the route for the Ahmedabad Marathon was modified to the Sabarmati Riverfront, attracting over 22,500 participants. Notably, the event welcomed industry veteran Dave Cundy as the Race Director.[19]
Garv Hai
[edit]‘Garv Hai’ is the Adani Group's nationwide program nurtures India's future sporting stars, helping them excel in events like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Olympics. It started in 2016, inviting applications from athletes, coaches, and sports academies.
Since the Rio Olympics in 2016, it has aided over 28 athletes in sports like boxing, wrestling, tennis, javelin throw, shooting, running, shot put, brisk walking, and archery.
Six out of the 19 athletes backed by this initiative competed in the Tokyo Olympics 2020, including wrestlers Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Deepak Punia, boxer Amit Panghal, and Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal. Ravi Dahiya, supported since 2019, won a Silver Medal in the 57 kg category.
They teamed up with Team India as the main sponsor for the Commonwealth Games 2022, 2023 Asian Games, and 2024 Paris Olympics. Athletes like Wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Wrestler Deepak Punia, and Boxer Amit Panghal brought home 3 Gold Medals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.[20]
#GarvHai Athletes
[edit]| Name | Sport |
| Amit Panghal | Boxing |
| Ankita Raina | Tennis |
| Harmilan Bains | Athletics |
| Mandeep Jangara | Boxing |
| Rani Rampal | Hockey |
| Deepak Punia* | Wrestling |
| Shiva Thapa | Boxing |
| KT Irfan | Athletics |
| Lokesh Kumar | Athletics |
| Ravi Kumar Dahiya* | Wrestling |
| Chinki Yadav | Shooting |
| Ankushita Boro | Boxing |
| Abitha Mary Manuel | Athletics |
| Nisar Ahmad | Athletics |
| Parveen Hooda | Boxing |
| Pinki Jangara | Boxing |
| Khushbir Kaur | Athletics |
| Poonam | Boxing |
| Ridhi Phor | Archery |
| Inderjeet Singh | Shotput |
| Malaika Goel | Shooting |
| Sajan Bhanwal | Wrestling |
| Sanjeevani Jadhav | Athletics |
| Sarabjot Singh | Shooting |
| Tai Bamhane | Athletics |
| Vinayak Verma | Archery |
| Poymantee Baisya* [21] | Table Tennis |
| R Pragnanandhaa* [22] | Chess |
*Current Garv Hai athletes
Academies
[edit]The Adani Sportsline Academy focuses on training young sports lovers aged 5 to 18. Coaching is provided in cricket, basketball, speed skating, skateboarding, and football.
There are three Academies located in Ahmedabad
| Name | Sport | Location |
| Shantigram Sports Academy | Cricket and Football | Ahmedabad |
| Ahmedabad Public School | Cricket and Football | Ahmedabad |
| Sabarmati Riverfront Sports Park [23] | Tennis, Speed skating, Skateboarding, Basketball, Pickleball | Ahmedabad |
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Retail India News: Adani Sportsline Strengthens Leadership with Sanjay Adesara as Chief Business Officer". Indian Retailer. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
- ^ IANS (2019-06-27). "Adani Group announces training aid for hidden sports talents". TheQuint. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ ""My Dreams Getting Fulfilled": J&K Para Cricketer After Gautam Adani's Support". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "World's Biggest Cricket Arena That Hosted Trump Is Renamed After Modi". Bloomberg.com. 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Indian conglomerates Adani and GMR acquire Ultimate Kho Kho franchises". SportBusiness. 2022-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ a b "Who are the two new Women's Premier League team owners?". ESPNcricinfo. 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "PKL 10: Who are the owners of Gujarat Giants?". Kabaddi Adda. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "WPL 2024: Beth Mooney to captain Gujarat Giants, Sneh Rana named vice-captain". Firstpost. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "WPL 2023: Gujarat Giants' skipper Beth Mooney to miss rest of Women's Premier League due to injury". The Indian Express. 2023-03-09. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Womens Premier League 2024 Points Table". www.cricbuzz.com. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ Sportstar, Team (2019-01-05). "Pro Kabaddi 2018 Final LIVE score, updates, commentary: Bengaluru Bulls is the new champion". Sportstar. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Pro Kabaddi League 2023: Fazel Atrachali Named Captain for Gujarat Giants in PKL Season 10". Kabaddi Adda. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Pro Kabaddi 2023-24 points table and standings". Pro Kabaddi League. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ Srivastava, Pranchal (2024-02-17). "ILT20 final winners & runners-up list". Inside Sport India. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Stage is set for an intense battle in ILT20 season 2 play-offs". ANI News. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ Staff, Scroll (2024-01-14). "Ultimate Kho Kho: Gujarat Giants crowned Season 2 champions after win over Chennai Quick Guns". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ www.ETBrandEquity.com. "Adani's Gujarat Giants hopes big at 'The Big Bout Indian Boxing League' - ET BrandEquity". ETBrandEquity.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ "Adani Ahmedabad Marathon – AIMS race information". aims-worldrunning.org. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ Release, Press (2023-11-26). "Ahmedabad Marathon 2023 draws record numbers". thebridge.in. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ Sportstar, Team (2019-07-01). "Adani Group launches Garv Hai project to groom potential medallists". Sportstar. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ "Adani Group to support table tennis sensation Poymantee Baisya". Khel Now. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ Bureau, Sports (2024-01-05). "Praggnanandhaa receives backing from Adani Group". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Adani Sportsline's Sabarmati Riverfront Sports Park opens for public". The Indian Express. 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2024-08-01.