Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Odisha government, accusing it of neglecting hockey and allowing the state’s hard-earned identity in the sport to erode.
The sharp criticism follows a recent General Council meeting of Hockey India on October 6, during which the national governing body issued a show-cause notice to the Hockey Association of Odisha. The notice questioned compliance with federation bylaws and proposed demoting Odisha’s status from a “Permanent Member” to an “Associate Member.”
The BJD leaders highlighted that state and district-level sports committees have been rendered ineffective, leaving an internationally acclaimed sporting hub facing unprecedented public embarrassment and bureaucratic downgrades.
Behera and Mohanty drew a sharp contrast between the current administration and the tenure of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, during which Odisha transformed into the global capital of hockey. “Under Naveen’s leadership, the state hosted two consecutive Men’s Hockey World Cups, stepping in when other nations declined, built world-class infrastructure including Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Raurkela, and consistently sponsored the Indian national hockey teams. These efforts nurtured grassroots talent in cradle regions like Sundaragada while elevating the state’s global profile.”.
Mohanty noted that despite campaigning heavily on the promise of upholding Odia pride, the BJP leadership has shown a complete lack of vision for sports development. He pointed to recent administrative missteps, including an incident where the state Sports Minister drove a vehicle across an athletic running track, as evidence of a broader disregard for sports discipline that has eroded public trust.
The party urged Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and the Sports Minister to intervene immediately to protect the association’s permanent membership status and reverse what it called the gradual loss of Odisha’s hockey identity.