Bhubaneswar: Members of Odisha Assembly led by Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha on Wednesday visited the existing and upcoming sports infrastructure and High Performance Centres at the Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar.
The delegation visited Indoor Athletics Stadium, Indoor Aquatic Centre, Badminton High Performance Centre, Hockey High Performance Centre, Tennis Court, and Staff Accommodation which are part of the Kalinga Expansion. They also went around Hockey Stadium and HPC, Sports Climbing HPC, Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance Centre, Shooting HPC, Swimming HPC and Weightlifting HPC.
Later, they watched the tackle between India against Bangladesh at the SAFF-U20 Championship there.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Sports and Youth Services Tusharkanti Behera said, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his vision, ‘Sports for youth, youth for future’, sports has been accorded priority status and it has propelled Odisha to a top sporting destination in India. Sports and Youth Services Department has been investing in upgrading and developing sports infrastructure, training and coaching and creating opportunities from block to state level and we have larger representation from Odisha at the national and international level.”
Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra emphasised on training, coaching, infrastructure, Sports Science and nutrition for athletes so that they can train and transition to High Performance Centres and excel at national and international platforms.
Secretary (5T), VK Pandian, highlighted Chief Minister’s vision to promote sports and take Odisha to the next level. Odisha is hosting the Men’s Hockey World Cup for the second time and this is a matter of great pride for Odisha. Additionally, it is going to be held at two venues which is rare but Odisha is committed to make this world cup a big success, he added.
Sports secretary R Vineel Krishna presented the journey of Sports in Odisha over the last decade that has established Kalinga Stadium and Odisha as significant sports hub for marquee events.
On behalf of the state government and Sports and Youth Services Department, Development Commissioner Pradeep Jena thanked the Members of the Assembly for making time for the visit.
