KKR Host 9th Edition Of VIDA Knight Golf, Strengthen Commitment Towards #ShahoshiRani Initiative

Kolkata Knight Riders continued their growing commitment towards social impact and women empowerment by successfully hosting the ninth edition of VIDA Knight Golf at the historic Tollygunge Club in Kolkata on Thursday.

The annual charity initiative brought together members of the KKR squad, support staff, corporate partners, supporters and distinguished guests for an evening that blended sport, community engagement and social responsibility. More importantly, the event once again highlighted KKR’s long-running #ShahoshiRani initiative, which focuses on empowering women through skill development, financial independence and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Over the years, VIDA Knight Golf has evolved into more than just a sporting gathering for the IPL franchise. It has become one of KKR’s flagship community engagement platforms, aimed at creating long-term social impact through partnerships with organisations working directly at the grassroots level.

This year’s edition continued that vision in collaboration with the Calcutta Foundation, whose beneficiaries were at the centre of the evening’s activities.

The event was supported by VIDA Powered by Hero as the title partner, reinforcing a shared focus on women’s empowerment and community-driven initiatives. Alongside the sporting activities, the evening also celebrated stories of resilience and self-reliance from women associated with the foundation’s skilling programmes.

Several members of the Kolkata Knight Riders setup took part in the golf activities and interacted with guests throughout the evening. Among those present were assistant coach Shane Watson, bowling coach Tim Southee, and players Cameron Green, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert. The players and support staff participated in golf sessions, a putting competition and the prize distribution ceremony, creating an informal environment where sport and social causes came together naturally.

However, the most meaningful moment of the evening came through the participation of women beneficiaries from the #ShahoshiRani programme.

The beneficiaries felicitated KKR players and support staff with handmade photo frames crafted through the skilling initiatives supported by the programme. The gesture symbolised not only creativity and entrepreneurship, but also the larger objective of helping women build confidence and financial independence through vocational opportunities.

KKR CEO Venky Mysore emphasised that the franchise views initiatives like VIDA Knight Golf as an opportunity to create impact beyond cricket.

“VIDA Knight Golf has always been about coming together for a meaningful cause beyond the sport itself,” Mysore said during the event. “Through initiatives like #ShahoshiRani, we want to continue creating greater awareness and meaningful opportunities for women who have shown immense courage and resilience in overcoming challenges.”

Mysore further explained that the franchise’s approach goes beyond short-term charity and instead focuses on long-term empowerment.

“From skill development and livelihood creation to supporting education and community-led growth, these initiatives aim to drive long-term impact. When women become financially independent, the impact extends far beyond the individual, positively influencing families and communities,” he added.

The #ShahoshiRani initiative has increasingly become a major identity within KKR’s off-field outreach programs. Over the last few years, the franchise has used its visibility and fan engagement to consistently highlight stories of women overcoming social and economic barriers.

By combining cricket’s popularity with community-led programmes, KKR has attempted to create awareness while also generating direct financial support for grassroots projects.

VIDA, the emerging mobility brand from Hero MotoCorp, also reiterated its commitment towards the initiative during the event.

Speaking on the partnership, Kausalya Nandakumar, Chief Business Officer of Hero MotoCorp’s Emerging Mobility Business Unit, said the collaboration aligned closely with VIDA’s larger philosophy of empowerment and sustainable progress.

“At VIDA, we believe in shaping a sustainable tomorrow and empowering individuals to lead their own journeys,” she said. “We are excited to partner with Kolkata Knight Riders for VIDA Knight Golf and support the #ShahoshiRani initiative, honouring the courage, resilience and self-reliance of women.”

She also highlighted that the initiative represents an effort to unlock new opportunities for beneficiaries while encouraging wider participation and support from communities.

The event once again demonstrated how IPL franchises are increasingly expanding their role beyond sport and entertainment. While cricket remains the central attraction, franchises like KKR are now using their platforms to engage with broader social issues and community development projects.

Importantly, the funds raised through VIDA Knight Golf will directly contribute towards skilling programmes aimed at helping women from underserved communities develop sustainable livelihood opportunities. The initiative also supports girls’ education and broader community-led growth programs. Hosted at the iconic Tollygunge Club, one of Kolkata’s most historic sporting venues, the evening carried a strong sense of tradition while also reinforcing modern ideas around inclusivity and social responsibility.

The event was supported by Sugam as Associate Donor, Athletic Drive as Apparel Partner and Tollygunge Club as Host Club.

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For KKR, VIDA Knight Golf continues to represent a model where sport becomes more than competition evolving into a platform capable of driving awareness, partnerships and meaningful social change.

And as the franchise deepens its investment in initiatives like #ShahoshiRani, the impact now extends far beyond the cricket field.