Jamshedpur, March 25: A meaningful step towards strengthening grassroots sports was marked with the inauguration of floodlights at the Dhatkidih Community Centre basketball court by Tata Steel Foundation, creating a safer and more enabling space for young players to pursue their passion. Jamshedpur currently has only two community-level basketball courts—at Sonari and Dhatkidih, both centres enabled by the Foundation, making these spaces vital for nurturing local talent. At Dhatkidih alone, 82 children regularly attend practice sessions in both morning and evening batches. For many school-going students, the evening session is the only time available for practice, often extending beyond sunset.
Until recently, the absence of proper lighting posed a significant challenge. As darkness set in, visibility on the open-ground court reduced considerably, affecting both the quality of practice and the safety of the children. This concern had been raised multiple times by community committee members, coaches, parents, and the players themselves. Responding to this need, Tata Steel Foundation facilitated the installation of floodlights at the court. With the entire playing area now well illuminated, children are able to practice safely and without interruption even after dusk. The improved conditions have also contributed to increased participation and motivation among the young athletes.
Speaking on the initiative, Harbhajan Singh, Olympian and President, Jharkhand Basketball Association, shared: “The installation of floodlights at the Dhatkidih Community Centre Basketball Court is a significant step forward for basketball in Jamshedpur. For years, the lack of proper lighting limited our ability to train and host matches in the evening. With this support from Tata Steel Foundation, players can now practice in a professional environment and we look forward to hosting more district and state-level tournaments here. This initiative will benefit the wider community.”
Expressing her happiness, Sneha Kumari, Basketball Player, Dhatkidih Community Centre, shared: “The new floodlight facility has transformed our training experience. Earlier, we had to cut short our practice sessions due to fading daylight, but now we can train with full focus in the evenings. It has made the environment safer and more encouraging, especially for students like me who balance studies and sports. I am grateful to Tata Steel Foundation for this support.”
Adding his thoughts, Uday Nair, Basketball Player, Dhatkidih Community Centre, said: “With the installation of floodlights, our court feels more vibrant and active. The extended practice hours have helped improve our confidence and performance, and more students are now joining the training sessions. This initiative has created better opportunities for all of us to grow as players, and we sincerely thank Tata Steel Foundation for their commitment to grassroots sports.”
The Dhatkidih basketball court has periodically hosted district and state-level tournaments, offering players opportunities to showcase their talent. With the addition of floodlights, the venue is now better equipped to conduct such events more efficiently. Through such initiatives, Tata Steel Foundation continues to support community-led development and promote sports at the grassroots level.
