Odisha Budget 2023-24: Allocation For Sports Sees 8-Fold Increase In 6 Years

Bhubaneswar: The allocation for promotion of sports in Odisha Budget has been increased by almost 8 times in the last 6 years.

In the Budget 2023-24, presented by Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari in the Odisha Assembly on Friday, the Sports and Youth Services department has been allocated Rs 1217 crore compared to Rs 149 crore in 2017-18.

Since the department has been focusing on creation of a robust sports infrastructure as part of the government’s long-term strategy for promoting sports, Rs 1,044 crore has been allocated in the Budget for construction of sports facilities.

In order to facilitate the sportspersons to successfully compete in different competitions, Rs 30 crore has been earmarked for training and coaching under different disciplines. It would help them avail scientific training and coaching by professional coaches.

Odisha has earned accolades for successfully organising various national and international sporting events in the last few years. The department co-hosted FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 and successfully hosted the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup for the second time in a row. A sum of Rs 24 crore has been allocated for organising various sports competitions.

Similarly, Rs 10 crore has been provisioned under the scheme “Incentives and Awards” in the Budget to encourage the sportspersons of the state and motivate them for winning medals at national and international sports competitions.