The Ratan Tata Effect: Know His Passion for Athletics & His Role in Grooming the Indian Olympians

From time Sir Dorabji Tata sponsored a handful of Indian athletes to 1920 Antwerp Olympics , Tata group has been a constant in India's sporting landscape and conglomerate's involvement only grew under Ratan Tata, who considered sport a "way of life".

chairman emeritus of Tata Sons died here at age of 86 on Wednesday after being mitted to a hospital on Monday for "age and related medical conditions". His death triggered an avalanche of tributes from eminent personalities from all walks of life and sports was no different.

From being title sponsor of glitzy Indian Premier League of cricket to supporting lesser-followed sports like archery to owning a football team in Indian Super League to sponsoring a high-profile chess tournament, Tata group has been deeply involved with country's sporting ecosystem. Most of this involvement grew during Ratan Tata's tenure.

"He always believed in 'sports is way of life' and we are happy to carry forward legacy. We have been torchbearer of sports with 19 sporting verticals from football, hockey, archery to horse riding, boxing, karate, racket sports. You name it, we have it," an official involved with JRD Tata Sports Acemy, which was inaugurated in 1991 in Jamshedpur, told PTI.

growth in Tata Group's sporting involvement under Ratan Tata was continuation of a legacy. After all, Sir Dorabji Tata, who played cricket, tennis and football, was first President of Indian Olympic Association (1924).

This was after he h financed Olympic appearance of four track-and-field athletes and two wrestlers at Antwerp Games, helping organise ir trials in Pune as well.

Tata Steel Chess, which is also called 'Wimbledon of chess', is a marquee event on global chess calendar, held at Wijk Aan Zee, Nerlands.

It wasn't always known that. It was Corus Chess Tournament for longest time before Tata Steel took over title sponsor company, reby claiming rights of this event from 2007 onwards.

Five-time world champion and Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand was among first sports icons to pay tributes to late industrialist, saying that he "touched all our lives".

"It is with profound sness that we bid farewell to a giant of industry and philanthropy. We received our Pma Vibhushan toger, and I was truly touched by his humility and genteel nature," Anand wrote on X.

" chess fraternity owes much to tritions that are so closely associated with Tata Group. @tatasteelchess in Holland is an event that me us chess players particularly proud, especially when Tatas took over Corus, and later starting a new trition with @tschessindia," he ded.

" chess world and I offer our deepest condolences to @RNTata2000, a human being who touched all our lives and always stood for good of society. Rest in peace," Anand continued.

Tata Foootball Acemy started back in 1987 under Russi Mody, n chairman of Tata Steel, who h backing of Ratan Tata for project.

acemy has been supplying national level footballers since early '90s with its some of its noted alumni being current All India Football Federation he and former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey, Rennedy Singh, Dipendu Biswas and Kiran Khongsai.

"TFA has played a pioneering role in Indian football by focusing on nurturing young talent and contributing significantly to development of football in country," official associated with JRD sports complex said.

"He (Ratan Tata) was re at launch of Jamshedpur FC in ISL in 2017. he interacted with players and coaches, took photos with m. y also presented him with a signed jersey. He was very happy to see team coming up and playing in top tier ISL," he recalled.

enigmatic businessman was re to launch hockey acemy in Jamshedpur in 2019.

"...perhaps for last time he was here," official said.

Hockey India said Ratan Tata will be remembered as a "shining gem".

"Your vision and endless contribution to our nation will never be forgotten. Your legacy will forever live with us till eternity. Hockey India pays tribute to one of Modern India's Pioneers - Ratan Naval Tata," it ded.

legendary Sachin Tendulkar said Ratan Tata's legacy will continue through his foundations.

"In his life, and demise, Mr Ratan Tata has moved nation. I was fortunate to spend time with him, but millions, who have never met him, feel same grief that I feel today. Such is his impact," Tendulkar wrote.

Tata Archery Acemy in Jamshedpur has been training ground for ace Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das for several years.

Given Tata Group's involvement in India's Olympic movement, it was hardly a surprise to see an outpouring of tributes from some of country's top athletes.

"I'm very sorry to hear about passing of Shri Ratan Tata ji. He was a visionary, and I'll never forget conversation I h with him. He inspired this entire nation. I pray that his loved ones find strength. Om Shanti," posted India's track-and-field Olympic gold-winner, Neeraj Chopra .

India’s first-ever Olympics medal winner in bminton, Saina Nehwal described him as a great man.

"Ratan Tata sir aapki legacy hamesha humare saath rahegi. RIP (sic). (A great man and true visionary. Tata sir your legacy will always remain with us," she said.

One of India's greatest spin bowlers and former captain Anil Kumble said, "Mr. Ratan Tata's contribution extends far beyond business. His legacy of giving back to society will continue to inspire future generations. Rest in peace." "An institution who embodied Excellence, Vision and Humility. A Philanthropist par excellence. A massive loss to society. Condolences to entire Tata family. God bless his soul #RatanTata," wrote former India player and coach Ravi Shastri.