Odisha Govt Inks Pact With 7 Industrialists To Promote Sports In State

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the Hockey Men’s World Cup Trophy at the Kalinga Stadium here on Monday, even as MoUs were signed between Sports and Youth Services Department and seven leading industrialists to promote sports in Odisha.

At a special event, ‘Sports in Odisha’, these leading industrialists came forward to help promote the sports culture within the state.

Following the signing of the MoUs, every sport will have the necessary infrastructure and support services needed by an individual to realize their potential. They will now have a fair chance at training that will match international standards, official sources said.

The following sports were sponsored by the following industries, who have their own Foundation for Youth Sports: Athletics by Reliance Industries Group; Football and Swimming by JSW Group; Badminton by Dalmia Bharat Group; Weightlifting by Ahluwalia Group; Shooting by Aditya Birla Group; and Hockey by Tata Group.

The event began with a welcome speech by Sports and Youth Services minister Chandra Sarathi Behera with almost all leading dignitaries gracing the podium with their speeches regarding their foundation and efforts that will be undertaken by them to promote their chosen sports.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports & Youth Services, Vishal Kumar Dev said, “It is great day not just for the state but for the country as well. This move was long overdue in order to fully develop the quality of sport and sportsmen in the country. By signing this MoU’s, we have built a framework which will work towards sporting education, talent identification at grass root levels and infrastructural development at a global level.”

Commenting on the signing of the MoU’s, the Chief Minister said, “The signing of this MoU has created a long-lasting partnership which will result in producing sportspersons of world standards. But this partnership is more than just giving grants and funds, it will focus on extending the outreach of every sport in India.”

Among others, International Hockey Federation Dr Narendra Batra, Dalmia Bharat Group CMD Puneet Dalmia, former Indian badminton player Pullela Gopichand, Chairman JSW Sajjan Jindal, Indian shooter Gagan Narang and former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble were present.