Nita Ambani, the founder and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation and the non-executive director of the popular Reliance Industries has made every Indian proud of her by becoming the first Indian woman ever to become the member of International Olympic Committee (IOC). She was elected at the 129th IOC Session in Rio on Thursday.
Nita Ambani is also the founder of the Indian Super League football tournament which donates the amount raised to the needy and poor. She was nominated for the post in the month of June this year. She is the Indian who has been elected this time and her appointment will last at this world body until she turns 70.
The independent selection process follows a new procedure for the recruitment of IOC members based on the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations; those nominated are done so wholly on merit and then elected by existing IOC members.
Nita has always been a part of the various innovative steps that she and her company took forward in various fields like education, health, sports, culture and art. She has been involved in promoting and spreading the word for multiple sports in the country. She with her initiatives has always focused on developing talent and shaping the best. The grassroots programmes that she has initiated have almost reached out to more than 3 million children of the country in multiple sports.
Nita Ambani has received a number of awards and honors which includes being one of the most influential women business leaders in the Asia in the list released by Forbes. Nita Ambani, an Indian businesswoman and also the owner of the Mumbai Indians cricket team franchise for the Indian Premier League, was among the new eight members who were elected by the International Olympic Committee on Thursday on the eve of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
“I am truly humbled and overwhelmed to be elected by the IOC. This is a recognition of the growing importance of India in the world stage and a recognition for Indian women,” said Nita.
“I have always believed in the power of sport to shape our youth. I believe that sports brings together communities, cultures, and generations has the power to unify and unite people. I look forward to spreading the spirit of Olympics and sports across our nation,” she added.
