Bhubaneswar: The history of hockey in Odisha and the organisation of two successive men’s World Cups will find mention in NCERT textbooks, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced during the all-party meeting called by the Odisha government.
“Sportspersons of the country are preparing themselves for the upcoming Olympics. This is possible because they have been encouraged through the Khelo India initiative under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Odisha’s Hockey history and its hosting of two world cups have immensely helped increase its reputation in India. The government of India will include it in the NCERT textbooks,” said Pradhan.
The Union Minister urged the state government to promote the tradition and culture of Odisha during the mega sporting event.
“The state government and we all should try to create at least 100 good quality athletes in Odisha by 2036 to represent the country in the Olympics,” he added.
Besides, he also proposed that the state government prepare coffee table books on the culture and history of Odisha in 16 different languages of the countries participating in the mega event.