Bhubaneswar: In a bid to strengthen the foundations of sports in the state and realise the vision of “Padia to Podium” (playground to podium), the Odisha government on Tuesday announced the organisation of the ‘CM Trophy’ Championship.
Making the announcement in Bhubaneswar, Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said this innovative initiative aims to identify talented athletes at the grassroots level and propel them towards national and international arenas. It will provide a robust platform for young sports enthusiasts to showcase their skills.
Under the direct supervision of the state’s Sports and Youth Services Department, in collaboration with various state-level sports associations, the championship will feature traditional and popular sports disciplines such as Football (Under 15), Volleyball (Under 14), Kabaddi (Under 16), and Kho
-Kho (Under 14).
The competitions will be held in both boys’ and girls’ categories, promoting gender equality and inclusive participation in sports.
The tournament will follow a multi-tiered structure, starting with talent selection at the grassroots level, progressing to district-level events, zonal competitions, and culminating in the state-level championship. Aspiring athletes can register for ‘CM Trophy’ Championship from January 7 to 14.
Based on merit, 10 teams in the boys’ category and 6 teams in the girls’ category will be formed at the district level. The event is expected to draw participation from approximately 500 teams and over 32,000 young athletes across the state.
The championship will be conducted in two phases: the first phase from January to February, and the second phase commencing in May. Semi-finals and finals are targeted for May 2026.
State sports associations will oversee athlete registration, trials, appointment of technical officials, and match organisation, while the Sports and Youth Services Department will handle overall planning and management.
This ‘CM Trophy’ Championship in Odisha is widely anticipated to become a milestone in nurturing sports talent at the grassroots level in the coming days.