New Delhi: Corporate Games, scheduled to be held at Delhi in 12 sports disciplines from Feb 9-12, 2012 at Sirifort Sports Complex, has received a good response from the corporate and companies so far. Stating this at a press conference on Wednesday, OP Bhatia, CEO, Delhi Corporate Games said that they were planning to invite over 70 companies to participate in the event.
Bhatia mentioned that it was a concept prevalent in 54 cities in 25 countries where games are held every year. “These games are not restricted only to elite sports persons but to all the employees of businesses and organizations including their families with a view to promote lifelong fitness among employees of all age groups. Games are organized in different age group i.e. 19-29, 30-39, 40-49 & 50 and above years of age. Sports persons of higher age group who have been practicing and competing regularly can participate in lower age group but person of lower age group are not permitted to participate in higher age group. In team games like cricket, soccer, hockey and basketball people of all age groups play together as a team. In cricket where the team strengths is only 8 persons is a combination of men & women. In the team games there is a rule of rolling substitution so that weekend warriors (weekend players) if they are not very much in excellent state of health and get tired after playing 15 to 20 minutes can be substituted,” he said.
He said that they were planning to invite 70-80 companies/organizations to participate in these games. “So far more than 30 corporates/companies have shown their interest to participate in Corporate Games, companies like GE Capital, NTPC, HDFC Bank, Yes Bank, Barista, ONGC, Nikon India Pvt. Ltd., Posco India, ARI, Kuehne + Nagel, Stag International have already confirmed their participation. If the media helps promoting this concept, we feel that more and more companies would permit their employees to participate in Corporate Games with intent to promote lifelong fitness in their organizations. Incidentally it may be matter of interest that members of the families of employees are also welcome to participate under the banner of the company,” he added.
OP Bhatia mentioned that concept of Corporate Games was initiated so that employees of corporates/businesses and organizations practice playing and competing on weekend so that they can keep themselves physically fit throughout life. “We are trying to propagate the same philosophy so that India remains young and healthy, fit & strong.”
“No doubt that this concept is being accepted by the corporates but the process of acceptance is rather slow. We intend continuing our efforts for next few years with a hope that a large number of Corporates encourage their employees to participate in games and sports, so that India remains young and healthy,” he added.
Vivek Kohli, Joint Managing Director of International Sports & Stag Sports Meerut, who are one of the sponsors of Corporate Games highly commended the concept of Corporate Games & called it as a carnival of sports. Bobby Singh, Chairman of Panninsula Sports Management, supporter of games praised the efforts of organizers of Corporate Games and mentioned that their coaches will help to organize the games in February.
Finally while thanking media and supporters of the games, Bhatia explained rules of different games and mentioned that they have been made so interesting by mixing men and women teams for cricket, hockey and basketball. Cricket will be team of eight players with rolling substitution. It will be played by having three innings of seven overs in each inning.
Indian Sports News
