RCB Cares Expands Multi-sport Pathways In Karnataka For Hockey, Athletics And Shooting

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RCB Cares has expanded its grassroots sports programme in Karnataka, adding support for Yes For Hockey and Ashwini's Sports Foundation in partnership with GoSports Foundation. The move, announced in Bengaluru on 1st March 2026, aims to strengthen pathways in hockey, athletics and shooting, aligned with the Government’s sport-led growth vision.

RCB Cares expands multi-sport support

The initiative focuses on access, structure and long-term investment. It plans clear athlete pathways, strong coaching systems, and steady competition exposure. RCB Cares seeks measurable impact on the ground, linking community sport with higher performance. The expansion marks a deeper multi-sport push beyond cricket within Karnataka.

Rajesh Menon, CEO, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said RCB Cares wants to build “structured, sustainable talent pathways” across sports. He stressed that grassroots strength will shape India’s sporting future. Menon said support for hockey, athletics and shooting shows a long-term view, and links with India’s aim of becoming a global sporting nation.

Partnership with Ashwini's Sports Foundation

Through Ashwini's Sports Foundation, RCB Cares will back high-potential athletes in athletics and shooting. The plan will strengthen training and competition pathways. Support includes better access to quality coaches and specialist staff. It also covers sports psychologist sessions, and help with kits, equipment, pellets, shoes and event participation costs.

Ashwini Nachappa, former Indian track and field athlete and Arjuna awardee, called the partnership “a transformative milestone” for the foundation, athletes and coaches. She said it brings a holistic and professional approach. The tie-up adds technology in coaching, focus on sports psychology, improved equipment and wider competition exposure for both sports.

Support for Yes For Hockey

RCB Cares will also support Yes For Hockey, which works with government schools in Karnataka. The goal is to build a clear hockey pathway for children from underserved communities. The programme will boost coaching, give access to artificial turf grounds, and arrange transport for regular, structured training sessions.

The support includes nutrition, playing kits and essential equipment. Under the Yes For Hockey plan, teams will play in the Karnataka State Hockey Association C Division League and school tournaments. Technology-enabled tracking will monitor progress and aid talent identification. The focus remains on consistent, organised exposure to competitive hockey.

Sandeep Somesh, former international hockey athlete and coach with Yes For Hockey, said access and opportunity are the biggest barriers for Karnataka government school children. He said RCB Cares’ backing will allow structured turf training, nutrition support, league participation and regular performance tracking, which will strengthen grassroots hockey across these schools.

Key programme details

Bridges of Sports and CSR expansion

The expansion builds on RCB Cares’ ongoing work with Bridges of Sports. That programme supports over 400 children from the Siddhi community through a two-tier league. Within this group, 24 junior athletes receive 300 structured training sessions, aimed at state and national competition readiness across the athletics calendar.

Two standout athletes from the 24 will access advanced performance training. They will train under elite coaches and therapists linked with Olympic medallists, through Bridges of Sports Foundation's UK performance pathway. Additional CSR funds this financial year, 2025-26, allow two more beneficiaries to be added across the supported programmes.

Role of GoSports Foundation

All partnerships are backed by compliance and governance checks, with ongoing monitoring and reporting. GoSports Foundation acts as the strategic implementation partner, handling professional execution. Managing Trustee Nandan Kamath said the RCB Cares programme aims to link community projects and high-performance pathways, giving deserving talent space to grow with clarity and confidence.

With this expansion, RCB Cares underlines its focus on a resilient, inclusive and performance-driven sports ecosystem in India. The combined efforts across hockey, athletics and shooting in Karnataka target long-term impact, through structured systems, strong partnerships and clear accountability at every level of athlete development.