Pune: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been watching and cheering Odisha Juggernauts in their Ultimate Kho Kho League matches.
On Friday, State Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera met the high-flying Odisha Juggernauts team members in Pune and encouraged them to aim high.
The Juggernauts, on a four-match winning streak, are leading the table with 15 points from 6 matches.
“I am happy to know that currently our team Odisha Juggernauts is on top of the points table. Out of six matches, we have won 5. I am confident that our team will reach the finals. Hon’ble CM Shri Naveen Patnaik’s vision of ‘Sports for Youth; Youth for Future’ has made Odisha a hub for sports,” said the minister.
“We are very much focused on improving our grassroots structure in all sports across the state and I believe Odisha Juggernauts will inspire many young kids to take up kho kho as a sport. I hope the Ultimate Kho Kho league flourishes and helps to change the lives of many kho kho players,” he added.
Balasore boy Jagannatha Murmu, one of the top performers for Odisha Juggernauts, was delighted to meet the Sports Minister.
“It was a privilege for all of us to meet the Sports Minister of our state. Even after a busy schedule, he came all the way from Odisha just to meet us in Pune. He encouraged all of us to work hard and wished us the best for the upcoming matches. He wants to see us lifting the trophy and we will give it our all to make that happen,” Jagannatha said.
Odisha Juggernauts will face Mumbai Khiladis in their next encounter on Saturday. A win will confirm their berth in the playoffs.
