Bhubaneswar, Feb 8: Vedanta Group Thursday inked a two-year sponsorship agreement with discus thrower Krishna Poonia, the first Indian female athlete to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal, a company official said.
The agreement was signed at the head office of Vedanta Group's Hindustan Zinc in Rajasthan's Udaipur, Pavan Kaushik, head of company's corporate communication told IANS.
"The company has been supporting players earlier as well and Krishna Poonia is a symbol of pride for the women athletes in India and we are quite pleased to sponsor her," Kaushik said.
Poonia is the first Indian female athlete to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2010. She was also a two-time Asian Games medallist.
Krishna Poonia accompanied by her husband and coach Virendar Poonia came in her track suit with Vedanta Hindustan Zinc logo showcasing the association with the company, he said.
"I am very happy and grateful to Vedanta for sponsoring me for next two years which are very crucial for me, as I would be preparing for the Asian Games and Commonwealth games," Poonia said on the occasion.
"The Olympics are also scheduled in 2016 and this preparation will help me for my hunt for the medals for my country," she added.
Poonia also endorsed Vedanta Group's social media campaign a 'KHUSHI' and said that it is bringing awareness about care for the poor children in India.
Poonia was conferred the Arjuna Award in 2010 and Padma Shri in 2011.
