Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Saturday outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform Odisha into a global sporting hub under the vision of taking the state “from playground to podium”.
Speaking at the state-level National Sports Day celebrations at Lok Seva Bhavan, the CM said Odisha would continue its efforts to emerge as a sporting powerhouse under the mantra “Kheliba Odisha, Jitiba Odisha”.
On the occasion, he presented the prestigious Biju Patnaik Sports and Bravery Awards for 2025 to outstanding sportspersons, coaches, sports promoters and individuals recognised for acts of bravery.
Paying tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary, the CM extended greetings to the people of the state on National Sports Day and urged young people to imbibe the sporting icon’s spirit of dedication and service to the nation.
Describing Odisha’s sporting transformation as a journey “from the playground to the podium”, he said the state had emerged as one of India’s major sporting centres and was committed to providing children with world-class infrastructure and the best training facilities.
As part of its grassroots sports development plan, the state government is constructing modern stadiums in all 314 blocks at an investment of Rs 4,124 crore.
A world-class sports complex is also being developed at Gothapatna in Bhubaneswar, while the Baji Rout Regional Sports Hub in Dhenkanal, along with five other regional hubs, is being established.
The CM said the government was also promoting rural sporting talent through the CM Trophy. In another initiative aimed at using sports as an instrument of social transformation, sports equipment is being distributed among young people in 485 villages across 10 Maoist-affected districts.
Majhi further noted that Odisha had earned the historic distinction of hosting the upcoming 2028 Asian and World Athletics Indoor Championships, marking another major milestone in the state’s sporting journey.
Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, paying tribute to Major Dhyan Chand, said dedication and discipline, along with talent, were what transformed an ordinary player into a great athlete.
He urged young people to make sports a part of their daily routine and reduce screen time in favour of spending more time on the playing field.
