Bhubaneswar: The Tennis Auditorium of Kalinga Stadium came alive today as the Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA), with crucial support from the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, commemorated World Sports Journalists Day alongside the Centenary Year Celebrations of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
Olympian K Ravi Kumar, the esteemed weightlifter and Commonwealth Games medalist from Ganjam, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. He inspired budding athletes with his journey and underscored the pivotal role of sports journalists in shaping and promoting athletes’ careers. Kumar praised the modern facilities and professional training provided by Odisha’s Sports Department at Kalinga Stadium, which he credited for accelerating the sports culture in Odisha.
R. Vineel Krishna, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, extended warm wishes to the media fraternity as Guest of Honour. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the government and media in fostering a robust sports culture in Odisha, stating, “Today, we recognize not only the achievements of our athletes but also the dedication of sports journalists who bring their stories to life and inspire better performances.”
Odisha has witnessed a significant rise in medals in the Junior and Sub-Junior categories recently. The Sports Secretary emphasized the government’s substantial investments in block-level infrastructure and training, aimed at boosting grassroots sports. The focus remains on nurturing Sub-Junior and Junior-level athletes who are poised to bring laurels to the state and the nation.
The event featured a keynote address by Sundeep Mishra, a renowned sports journalist, who shared insights into the evolution of sports journalism and its future trajectory. Senior Sports Journalist N Jagnnath Das expressed delight at the accessibility of world-class training and infrastructure for young sportspersons in Odisha, a resource previously unavailable.
Olympian Srabani Nanda also shared her experiences, highlighting the pivotal role of the media in her athletic journey.
Sandeep Mishra, President of OSJA, along with Sambit Mohapatra, Working President of OSJA, and Suresh Kumar Swain, Secretary of OSJA, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting and empowering sports journalists in the state.
As part of the celebrations, journalists were given a special tour of the Sports Science Centre by the Sports Secretary. The tour showcased advanced facilities used for tracking, analyzing, and enhancing athletes’ performance through state-of-the-art equipment and recovery sessions. Journalists were impressed by the innovative practices contributing to the success and well-being of Odisha’s athletes.
The Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, guests, and media personnel whose participation made the event a resounding success. The collaboration symbolizes a collective effort to honor the legacy of sports journalism and its pivotal role in developing and promoting sports and sportspersons in Odisha. Distinguished journalists from the sports and media fraternities graced the state with their presence, marking a memorable celebration of sports journalism’s impact and evolution.