Bhubaneswar: Building on its success at block and district levels, the Nua-O Sports Championship is set to culminate in the state-level competitions, scheduled to commence from January 30, 2024. The event, organized by the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Government of Odisha, has become a platform for engaging and empowering the youth through a vibrant blend of cultural and sports events.
Launched in November 2023, the Nua-O Sports Competitions have seen enthusiastic participation across three tiers—Block Level/ULB Level, Institutional Level, and District level. Now, the spotlight shifts to the state-level competitions, featuring six disciplines: kho-kho, cricket, hockey, football, kabaddi, and volleyball.
The state-level competitions, to be held in Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, will follow a ‘knock-out’ format, ensuring intense competition as only district champions will vie for the top honors.
The sports extravaganza kicks off with the Volleyball competition on January 30, 2024, in Bhubaneswar. The Hockey tournament for both genders is scheduled to take place from January 31 to February 8 in Rourkela. Football enthusiasts can witness the action at Bhubaneswar Football Academy from February 1 to February 12, while Cricket aficionados can enjoy the matches between February 6 and 16 in Puri.
Kho kho enthusiasts will converge in Puri from February 6 to 10, while the Kabaddi battles will unfold between February 13 and 17 at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar.
Vineel Krishna, Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Department, shared, “Nua-O Sports Competitions is a unique youth engagement initiative that blends sports and community. It has sparked great enthusiasm among our youth, and we have witnessed a good response so far. The champions of the district level will battle it out at the state level. This initiative is vital towards shaping well-rounded individuals, nurturing talent, and building teamwork and culture.”
The stakes are high, with the winning teams at the state level competitions set to receive a prize money of Rs 2 lakh, 1st runners-up earning Rs 1 lakh, and the 2nd runners-up being awarded Rs 50,000. The Nua-O State Sports Championship promises to be a grand showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and community spirit.