Grassroots Sports Ecosystem Development is Our Priority: Sports Minister  Suryabanshi Suraj

Bhubaneswar: A key review meeting of the Sports and Youth Services Department was held today at the Kalinga Stadium under the leadership of Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. The meeting centered around the master plan for the construction of block-level stadiums and the development of the grassroots sports ecosystem in Odisha.

Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted that the state government has allocated Rs 4,124 crore for the development of block-level stadiums across Odisha. The initiative aims to cultivate and nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level, ensuring that every village and block in the state has access to quality sports infrastructure. “Our primary focus is to enhance grassroots sports, nurture local talent, and provide athletes with top-notch training to help them excel on national and international platforms,” stated Minister Suraj.

The meeting also discussed the introduction of the CM Trophy competition aimed at further promoting grassroots-level sports. In addition, Odisha’s growing reputation as a hub for international sporting events was acknowledged, with the FIH Hockey Pro League being successfully hosted at the Kalinga Stadium in recent months. This aligns with the state’s continued commitment to providing world-class facilities and opportunities for athletes.

Minister Suraj also took the opportunity to commend Odisha’s athletes for their impressive performances in the National Games. This year, Odisha secured a position among the top 15 states in the country, reflecting the state’s rising prominence in national sports. “Odisha’s sportspersons will continue to bring laurels to the state by winning medals in national and international competitions,” he added.

In addition to infrastructure development, Minister Suraj directed department officials to accelerate the execution of ongoing sports projects, ensuring their timely completion. The department is focused on creating a sustainable and thriving sports ecosystem in the state.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department, Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Director Dipankar Mohapatra, Additional Secretary Bijay Kumar Swain, and other senior officials, all of whom discussed ways to ensure the successful implementation of these ambitious initiatives.