The historic “Monnet Go for Gold” torch reaches its final frontier

Completes its journey from Jammu to Kanyakumari, travelling 6486 kilometers across 50 cities

Kanyakumari, July 27, 2012:  Monnet Go for Gold - an initiative by Sandeep Jajodia led Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited (MIEL) - a flagship company of the Monnet Group, travelling through over 6000 kilometers across 50 cities has been working towards spreading the spirit of sportsmanship in a nation which has been working hard to strengthen itself on the global map for the Olympic sports.

Monnet Go for Gold torch run that was flagged off from Jammu & Kashmir amidst lot of fanfare has been traversing through several cities across India before culminating the historic crusade today in Kanyakumari. The symbolic “Monnet Go for Gold” torch from its flag off to its culmination in Kanyakumari today has had major stopovers in Chandigarh, New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Nagpur, and Mumbai.

The Monnet Go for Gold torch run has received an overwhelming response and it has been a heart-warming experience to receive a warm welcome from each city that Monnet Go for Gold torch travelled through. The entire journey right from the launch of the campaign, at the fun runs and at stopovers, the Monnet Go for Gold initiative has witnessed mammoth support from local masses along with political and sports stalwarts who have come forward in support of this initiative.

The Monnet Go for Gold torch was flagged off from Jammu on March 1, 2012 by the Honorable Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah. The torch since then travelled through the northern parts of the country touching Chandigarh on 07th March 2012 and finally making its way through New Delhi on the 11th of March 2012. Eminent personalities from the field of politics, sports and entertainment welcomed the Monnet Go for Gold torch at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The convoy and the torch travelling through the heart of India made its way to Bhubaneswar on April 01, 2012.  Honorable Chief Minister of Orissa, Shri Naveen Patnaik flagged off the Monnet Go for Gold torch from the Kalinga Stadium. On April 11, 2012, the torch travelling from Bhubaneswar via Cuttack, Angul, Sambalpur and Katapali reached Raipur at the Outdoor Stadium, sports complex, Budhapara. Honorable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh flagged off the Monnet Go for Gold Torch from Raipur. On April 22, 2012 the convoy reached Nagpur at the Yashwantrao Stadium.  On this historic day, the Yashwantrao Stadium was audience to political and sports stalwarts who came together in support of the Monnet Go for Gold torch. Travelling from Nagpur via Amrawati, Akola, Jalgaon, Dhule, Malegaon, Nashik and Kalyan the symbolic torch has entered Mumbai. From Mumbai the torch traversed through Panaji, Mangaluru, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to reach its final frontier, Kanyakumari.

Mr. Sandeep Jajodia, Chairman and Managing Director, Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited, said “Monnet Go for Gold – Fun Run – Kashmir Se Kanyakumari Tak”, saluting the spirit of sportsmanship in India, aims at positioning India as Sporting Nation and not just as a cricketing Nation by creating awareness amongst the people of India towards the efforts of our athletes in putting India on the global map for sports. It is my firm belief that if we manage to do so, we can very well be on course to perform well at the 2016 or perhaps 2020 Olympics."

“Travelling through the length and breadth of the country, today we mark the culmination of the Monnet Go for Gold torch initiative in Kanyakumari. Through this journey we have tried to touch the soul of every Indian to unite for the support of all athletes that are representing India at the Olympics and to cheer and motivate for them and send a strong message that the wishes of the entire nation is with them. I would like to congratulate everyone associated with this initiative and a special thanks to the athletes who held the torch high and ran across the country. ", he added

Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited is also the proud sponsors of the Indian Boxing team whose seven men boxers and one women boxer have qualified for the upcoming 2012 London Olympics. Monnet Group has also announced cash prizes of Rs 51 lakhs for the gold medal winners, 21 lakhs for the silver medal winners and Rs 11 lakhs to bronze medal winners at the London Olympics 2012.

Mr. AslamSher Khan, Former Olympian & President, Olympians Association of India and Former Indian Hockey team captain Mr. Zafar Iqbal from the Arjuna Awardees Association of India also have come forward in support of the ‘Monnet Go for Gold’ initiative.

About Monnet Group:

Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited (MIEL): MIEL is promoted by Mr. Sandeep Jajodia. Its principal activities include manufacturing and marketing of Sponge Iron, Steel and Ferro Alloys. In addition, MIEL is engaged in mining of mineral assets like coal & iron ore and is also involved in the generation of power for captive consumption. The Monnet Group has manufacturing facilities in Raipur and Raigarh in Chhattisgarh and is currently in the midst of implementing a 1.5 Million Tons integrated steel plant to produce plates, structural and rebar’s at its facility at Raigarh in Chhattisgarh to cater to the high growth infrastructure sector. MIEL through its subsidiary is now making measure of forays in the development of Merchant Power Plants and is currently implementing the first 1050 MW power plant at Angul

About Monnet Boxing Foundation (MBF)

Monnet Group has been actively engaged in promoting boxing as a sport in the country and as a part of its CSR initiative the Monnet Group has proudly associated itself with boxing by being the official sponsors of the Indian Boxing Team. Monnet believes that our country having population of more than 1.2 billion has potential to churn good boxers, however the irony is that not much attention is given towards developing boxing as a loved sport and identifying and training amateur boxers. Monnet, to address this concern has also set up Monnet Boxing Foundation –to identify and train amateur boxers.  Monnet in order to provide a platform with world class facilities would be setting up Monnet Boxing Academy to train the amateur boxers from the grassroots level.