Monnet Ispat & Energy launches "Go for Gold" campaign; An initiative for London Olympics 2012

Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd today announced the prestigious relay torch run for the "Go for Gold" relay campaign. The torch run campaign which will commence from Kashmir will culminated in Kanyakumari on May 27th 2012. Last year, the "Go for Gold' campaign was announced in Mumbai amidst much fan fare. The objective was to pledge the country's support for athletes who will attempt to put India on the world map in the forthcoming Olympics.

The torch was unveiled by Shree Ajay Maken, Honorable Sports Minister of India, Mr. Sandeep Jajodia, Executive Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd,Mr Shailendra Singh, Managing Director, Percept Ltd, Mr. Kapil Dev former Indian cricket team captain & Brig. P.K.M. Raja deputy chef-de-mission, Indian Olympics

The torch relay run will be flagged off on 10th February 2012 from Jammu & Srinagar and will travel 50 cities including Patiala/Chandigarh, Jaipur, Delhi NCR, Lucknow, Kolkata, Shillong, Indore, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Chennai, and Kanyakumari under the auspices of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

The run will be joined by local & prominent athletes in its impressive journey. The torch will return back to New Delhi on 30th May.. People from every local centre that the torch travels will be appealed through various multimedia campaigns to join the relay. Go for Gold merchandise will be distributed along the journey. The element of participation is the main purpose of this esteemed relay. Prominent celebrities will also join the relay at specific strategic points in this journey of the torch from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Monnet Ispat & Energy through this initiative will highlight the incredible potential Olympic sports holds for an emerging economic powerhouse like India. For the country that has the youngest population in the world and constantly aims to make a mark on the global map, what better platform than the Olympics to offer the youth an aspiration to be on the global sporting arena.

Sandeep Jajodia, over a discussion with Shailendra Singh, expressed his desire to support and promote Indian Olympic Sport. This subtle conversation over coffee was converted and created into a mammoth communication plan by Percept. "Go For Gold" will be rolled out in a phased manner where awareness will be created through a series of events.

Sandeep Jajodia, EVC & MD, Monnet Group said, "It definitely is a very novel way to get together the whole country for a social / noble cause. This will help as a major morale booster for our Olympian squad to give their very best in the forthcoming Olympics. Monnet as a corporate has always believed in supporting Indian sports in a very major way. Going forward we definitely would look forward to continue our alliance with various sports of our country in a very prominent way.

We understand there are several people across the country who want to show their support for athletes, but they do not know how to. This is an opportunity for them to come together and run for a cause. "Go for Gold' campaign is spread across the country to create maximum support from every corner of the country. Our athletes have already put India on the World map, this is our way to show support and encourage them to attain further glory."

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Shailendra Singh, Managing Director, Percept Ltd we are extremely proud that Percept carried forward the thought and vision of Mr. Sandeep Jajodia of supporting Indian Sport and created this unique platform "Go for Gold" ; a movement of global magnitude. This truly is a great opportunity wherein the whole nation will be united through the power of sport

Ajay Maken, Honorary Sports Minister in support of the "Go for Gold' campaign said, "It is a great initiative by a corporate like Monnet to come out in favor of the athletic contingent for the London Olympics and arrange for a nationwide campaign for them. It is a great motivation for our young athletes to know that the entire nation is backing them as they go in search of glory for the tricolor."

Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited has associated itself with the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) by becoming the official team and kit sponsors of the Indian Boxing Team for a period of 3 years starting from 2010.The support extended has been collectively acknowledged by the Federation and boxers alike as a silent driving force behind the stellar performances of the boxers. Infact, these achievements have prompted the IBF in further extending the commercial partnership with Monnet Group till 2017 so as to ensure a solid platform for the future of the sport in the country.