Bhubaneswar: Prominent sportspersons of Odisha stressed the role of media in promotion of sports and boosting the confidence of the players.
They were speaking at a function, organised by Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA), at Tennis Auditorium of Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar to mark the World Sports’ Journalists Day on Tuesday.
Narrating her experience with media during her successful sports career, Olympian Sravni Nanda said the news about her in newspapers and other media always motivated her to scale new heights. “Meeting the Press after a successful event gives me immense pleasure and I always look forward to it,” she added.
K Ravi Kumar, another Olympian, said the media reports about him during his struggling period played a significant role in shaping his sports career.
New Delhi-based sports journalist Sandip Mishra was felicitated on the occasion for his successful career. Sandip, as a sports journalist, has covered nine consecutive Hockey World Cup, more than one Olympic Games, World Cup Football, Commonwealth Games, World Athletic Championship and Asian Games.
R Vineel Krishna, secretary, Sports and Youth Service department, in his speech appreciated the role of sports journalists. Besides strengthening the sports infrastructure, Odisha is now focusing on promoting junior and sub-junior sportspersons.
Eminent sports journalist N Jagannath Das praised Odisha’s initiative in building the sports infrastructure of international standard.
OSJA president Sandeep Mishra and secretary Suresh Swain read out the messages of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Sports Minister Suryavanshi Suraj on the occasion and spoke on different programmes of the association.
The association’s working president Sambit Mohapatra coordinated the programme while treasurer Debasish Sundarray offered vote of thanks.
