As the city draws closer to running the 12th edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM), event promoters Procam International today organized a press conference to announce the Mumbai chapter of – Beyond the Finish Line (BTFL) #GameChangers, powered by Kingfisher Premium a platform to showcase individuals and corporate houses that have contributed significantly to the sporting heritage of our country.
Promoted by Procam International, Beyond the Finish Line seeks to Recognize, Reinforce and Reward people who have created a positive impact on Society using the medium of sport and celebrate the joy of sporting excellence. The event is now in its third edition after successful ones in Bangalore and Delhi organized on the sidelines of TCS World 10K Bangalore and Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.
The Mumbai chapter will be hosted by actor, director & social activist Rahul Bose and directed by Ken Ghosh and telecast on NDTV 24X7.
Speaking about the Mumbai edition of Beyond the Finish Line, Anil Singh, MD, Procam International said, “Through Beyond the Finish Line, it is our endeavor to give sports and sportspeople the honour and respect they deserve. A distance-running event like Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon gives us the perfect opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue on sport in society, value contribution, and support those who need assistance. Together, we’re spreading the joy of sporting excellence in society in a new way.”
Commenting on Kingfisher Premium’s association with BTFL, Samar Singh Sheikhawat, Senior Vice President – Marketing, United Breweries Limited added, “Kingfisher has always associated with every kind of sporting activity, ranging from athletics to cricket to football. As a brand, we have always led changes in the sporting scenario in India and are proud to be associated with a premier running event like the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. I look forward to an engaging discourse with business leaders and sporting icons from across the world at Beyond the Finish Line.”
On his association with this initiative, Pullela Gopichand, said, “Lot of great things have been happened in sport in the last few years. Different people in different ways have contributed to the growth of sport, it could be in the form of organising events, in the form of coaching or television; sports has taken a big leap from what it used to be many years ago. This is a wonderful concept that not only gives people a platform to participate but also to recognise people and hear their views. I am proud to be associated with this initiative and with Gosports Foundation. We hope in the coming years we get a lot more partners and sponsors which will encourage and ensure many more young kids take up sport as a career and get a fair chance to follow their passion.
Host for the evening, Rahul Bose, stated, “Reason why I agreed to host Beyond the Finish Line is because we decided to recognise those who made a difference in Indian sports , either by playing or through their ideas or just being an inspiration. Whatever or whoever has attempted to give a boost to sport which would have never been otherwise. As someday who pleads with parents in schools, colleges to let their children play , because sport teaches you grace under pressure, increases concentration, sleep better, eat better, everything you want your child to be, this is certainly a welcome addition. I would like to urge Anil & Vivek Singh to look out for and create such stories in the future edition of Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon
Through GameChangers, BTFL will bring to light the transformational role a number of sporting disciplines such as distance running, badminton and kabaddi are bringing to India’s sporting landscape. The telecast on NDTV 24X7 will bring together the event’s guests in an engaging five-segment panel discussion moderated by Rahul Bose.
The first segment will feature SCMM Face of Event, John Abraham, South Africa’s noted long-distance runner Elana Meyer and Anil Singh, Managing Director, Procam International. The next segment will highlight the evolution of Badminton and Badminton along with All England Badminton Championship winner Pullela Gopichand, expert commentator Charu Sharma, and Nandan Kamath, Managing Trustee of Go Sports Foundation.
The third segment will be the keynote address delivered by the International Event Ambassador and Wimbledon 2013 Champion Marion Bartoli. The last segment will feature Paco Barao, President, AIMS and N Chandrasekaran, CEO & MD, Tata Consultancy Services.
Hosted by Kingfisher Premium, the platform’s endeavour is also to raise funds via donations from corporate houses and individuals for the development of deserving athletes supported by the GoSports Foundation, the Empowerment Partner for the event.
Nandan Kamath, Managing Trustee, GoSports Foundation said, “Quite often, great stories of inspiration in sport are lost, simply because these stories have never been told . Through Beyond the Finish Line, we aspire to bring these stories to the fore.
The GoSports Foundation was established in 2008 with the singular purpose of injecting professionalism and positivity into the sports environment in India, primarily focusing on the journeys and careers of our most talented young athletes. Their mission of ‘Empowering India’s Future Olympians’ is premised on the belief that champions are created when the right talent is offered the right support at the right time.
source : Lokesh Shastri