For Edelweiss chairman Rashesh Shah, sports an investment, and women athletes its biggest RoI

The top boss said that there is a lot to be done in terms of support and resources in sports.

By Glynda Alves, ET Bureau | Aug 09, 2018, 09.07 AM IST

Ever the businessman, Rashesh Shah, the chairman of Edelweiss Group, says he looks at his contribution to sports as an investment.

At an event to celebrate the Asian Games and Para Asian Games athletes before the India contingent heads to Jakarta, the fitness enthusiast said that while there is so much to still be done in terms of support and resources in sports, things were looking up.

Teen Spirit: Kylian Mbappe And Other Sports Stars Who've Won Our Hearts

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By Viandra D'souza

It’s been two weeks since France became world champions, but conversation around their young phenomenon – 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe (in pic) – refuses to die down. Turning the lens on other teenage sports wonders.

(Image: AP)

By Viandra D'souza It’s been two weeks since France became world champions, but conversation around their young phenomenon – 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe (in pic) – refuses to die down. Turning the len..

Age: 19

This Indian sprinter created history early this month at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, bagging the gold medal in the 400m final. The 19-year-old Assamese girl became the first Indian to win a track event at an elite world competition. She crossed the finish line in 51.46 seconds and is now tipped to better Manjit Kaur’s 14-year-old National record of 51.05 seconds.

Age: 19 This Indian sprinter created history early this month at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, bagging the gold medal in the 400m final. The 19-year-old Assamese girl b..

Age: 15

The young Indian shooter became the country’s youngest ever gold medal winner at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April. The Haryana boy shot down the CWG record in the final with a score of 30 including four series of 5 each. By winning the gold, Anish bettered team-mate Manu Bhaker, who had become the youngest Indian Commonwealth Games gold medallist when she emerged champion in the 10m air rifle finals in the same tournament.

Age: 15 The young Indian shooter became the country’s youngest ever gold medal winner at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April. The Haryana boy shot down the CWG record in the final with a sc..

Age: 17

Swan shocked World No 36 Irina-Camelia Begu to become the first home player into the second round at Wimbledon this year. She may have crashed out 6-0, 6-3 to 29 seed Mihaela Buzarnescu in the second round, but her name is now on the radar of tennis fans around the globe. Swan, ranked 204th in the world, raised home spirits with a 6-2 6-2 win over Begu. The glamorous 19-year-old signed Andy Murray’s sports management agency, 77 in January this year. Swan’s career prize money to date totals £99,306 and given her form, is set to grow.

(Image: AP)

Age: 17 Swan shocked World No 36 Irina-Camelia Begu to become the first home player into the second round at Wimbledon this year. She may have crashed out 6-0, 6-3 to 29 seed Mihaela Buzarnescu in ..

Age: 17

Pyeongchang might have been Kim’s first chance at Winter Olympics, but the teenager’s performance was far from that of a debutante. Qualifying for the 2014 Sochi Games at the age of 13 solidified her as one of America’s best snowboarders, but she was more than two years short of the Olympics’ minimum age requirement. At 15, she became only the second half-pipe rider ever to earn a perfect score of

100. Now 17, she’s an Olympic gold medallist after a brilliant performance in South Korea, and the new face of winter sports in the States.

(Image: AP)

Age: 17 Pyeongchang might have been Kim’s first chance at Winter Olympics, but the teenager’s performance was far from that of a debutante. Qualifying for the 2014 Sochi Games at the age of 13 solid..

Age: 18

The Brazilian forward was officially unveiled by Real Madrid last week after completing his blockbuster transfer from Rio’s Flamengo. Madrid signed the player two years ago for 45 million euros. Vinicius was accompanied on his trip to Madrid by compatriot and former Real player Ronaldo, who led Brazil to the World Cup title in 2002. Voted the best player when Brazil won the Under-17 South American Championship last year, Vinicius originally agreed to join Madrid after playing only 17 minutes of senior football.

(Image: AP)

Age: 18 The Brazilian forward was officially unveiled by Real Madrid last week after completing his blockbuster transfer from Rio’s Flamengo. Madrid signed the player two years ago for 45 million e..

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And who according to Shah gives the biggest returns to their investment? Women athletes. Shah explains, “We checked for the best areas of investment; we are a financial company after all and always look for the best returns on our investments.

“Historically in India, women were discouraged from playing sports but we have a lot of sportswomen who have come very far. We decided to focus on that when we started 10 years ago. We thought that segment shows real achievement and grit, even though there are so many odds against them.”

Every Time Sourav Ganguly, Pele And Michael Phelps Inspired Newcomer Athletes

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Famous sport-stars like Sourav Ganguly, Pele, Michael Phelps and many others have always guided their juniors and peers in an unusual way.

Here are the athletes who have let their gestures and words help out.

Famous sport-stars like Sourav Ganguly, Pele, Michael Phelps and many others have always guided their juniors and peers in an unusual way. Here are the athletes who have let their gestures and word..

Ken Rosewall and Roger Federer

Before each Australian Open, tennis great Ken Rosewall writes a heartfelt letter to Roger Federer and leaves it for him in the players’ locker room. These letters, Federer has said, are “very special” to him.

(Image: Getty & AP)

Ken Rosewall and Roger Federer Before each Australian Open, tennis great Ken Rosewall writes a heartfelt letter to Roger Federer and leaves it for him in the players’ locker room. These letters, Fed..

Sourav Ganguly (right) and Virender Sehwag

Once a captain, always a captain. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly stands true to this adage. At a press conference in November last year, he recalled the advice he gave Virender Sehwag, who used to struggle to bat against Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar. Ganguly, who also played as an opener, advised the Delhi big hitter that he was behind the pace and needed to work on his game. While Ganguly admitted that he did not know what Sehwag did with that advice, he did make a comeback as a better player.

Sourav Ganguly (right) and Virender Sehwag Once a captain, always a captain. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly stands true to this adage. At a press conference in November last year, he recalled ..

Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel

Formula One champion Schumacher inspired the four-time champion and compatriot Vettel to get into the sport. The two met for the first time at a go-kart race where Schumacher was handing out trophies as a chief guest. The German F1 champs went on to participate together for their country in the Race of Champions, an exhibition series. They won it six years in a row. Vettel revealed last year that Schumacher would often give him advice that worked in many situations.

Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel Formula One champion Schumacher inspired the four-time champion and compatriot Vettel to get into the sport. The two met for the first time at a go-kart race ..

Michael Phelps and Grant Hackett

In September, last year, Phelps opened the doors of his home to Australian Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett, who suffered a mental breakdown a few months ago. He let Hackett stay at his Arizona home and helped him battle depression. They would play golf, go for a swim and talk about life and their kids.

(Image: AFP & Getty)

Michael Phelps and Grant Hackett In September, last year, Phelps opened the doors of his home to Australian Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett, who suffered a mental breakdown a few months ago..

Abbey D’Agostino (right) and Nikki Hamblin

There were many humane moments at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, but the one that remained a head above the others was during the 5,000 metre race where New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin and American sprinter Abbey D’Agostino collided. They were around 3,000 metres into the race when they both fell. As the crowds watched, D’Agostino convinced Hamblin to get up and they hobbled to the finish line. Both received the Pierre de Coubertin medal for displaying rare sportsmanship.

Abbey D’Agostino (right) and Nikki Hamblin There were many humane moments at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, but the one that remained a head above the others was during the 5,000 metre race where New Z..

Pele and Neymar

In 2014, Brazilian football star Neymar revealed that football legend Pele was the reason he chose to continue playing in Brazil over the English Premier League. The 25-year-old footballer was ready to sign for Chelsea in 2010, but Pele told him that it was not the right time to make a move. He reportedly told Neymar that England is “too rough” and that playing in the Spanish La Liga would benefit him as he would be able to play a more technical style of football. Neymar has admitted that Pele is a huge support system.

(Image: BCCL & AP)

Pele and Neymar In 2014, Brazilian football star Neymar revealed that football legend Pele was the reason he chose to continue playing in Brazil over the English Premier League. The 25-year-old foo..

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For Edelweiss chairman Rashesh Shah, sports an investment, and women athletes its biggest RoI

The top boss said that there is a lot to be done in terms of support and resources in sports.

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