Odisha Elevates Sports Development with Gymnastics and Hockey High Performance Centres

Bhubaneswar: The sports landscape in Odisha received a significant boost today as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated two state-of-the-art sports facilities, the Gymnastics High Performance Centre and the Hockey High Performance Centre, at the prestigious Kalinga Stadium.

The Gymnastics High Performance Centre, a collaborative initiative between Odisha and Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India, aims to revolutionize gymnastics in the country and transform Odisha into a national hub for gymnastics excellence.

Equipped with advanced training equipment and top-notch facilities, this center will cater to both seasoned athletes and budding talents at the grassroots level.

A significant milestone was achieved with six athletes from the Gymnastics HPC being selected to represent India in the upcoming Asian Games 2023, a testament to their exceptional abilities and the high-quality training provided at the Centre. The establishment of this center came to fruition with the signing of an MoU with Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel during the Chief Minister’s visit to Japan in April 2023.

The Hockey High Performance Centre, a collaborative effort with Tata Steel and Tata Trusts. This center is poised to make a significant impact on hockey development in the region. With a comprehensive residential facility that includes classrooms, gymnasiums, a modern kitchen and dining area, physiotherapy rooms, and versatile multipurpose rooms, the center is well-equipped to nurture the talents of both male and female cadets. Since its launch in August 2019, the Hockey HPC has thrived under the guidance of expert coaches and currently accommodates one hundred promising players, equally distributed between boys and girls.

Expressing his delight at the inauguration, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik spoke passionately about Odisha’s commitment to sporting excellence. He emphasized the partnership model that Odisha follows in its quest for nurturing athletes and fostering sporting talents. The newly inaugurated centers, he asserted, would further fortify the state’s sporting ecosystem, enabling athletes to shine on both national and international platforms. Moreover, he reaffirmed the government’s dedication to the development of gymnastics and expressed gratitude to Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel for their support in creating a vibrant gymnastics ecosystem in India.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the significance of the partnership with the Tata Group, fostering hockey development and supporting grassroots centers. He expressed optimism that this collaboration would lead to the discovery of exceptional players who would contribute to the national teams’ success.

Over the years, Odisha has emerged as a prominent hub for high-performance sports centers in India. Currently hosting facilities for shooting, hockey, badminton, weightlifting, athletics, sports science, swimming, football, and gymnastics, as well as a center of excellence in sports management, the state has cemented its position as a trailblazer in the realm of sporting infrastructure.

To further reinforce Odisha’s commitment to sporting development, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the strengthening of the partnership with Tata Group and the establishment of new High Performance Centers in Archery and Sports climbing. These forthcoming centers are expected to provide aspiring athletes with unparalleled opportunities to hone their skills in these disciplines.

As the Gymnastics High Performance Centre and the Hockey High Performance Centre open their doors to passionate athletes, the sports community eagerly anticipates the emergence of a new generation of stars, carrying the spirit of Odisha to glory on the global stage.