Odisha Sets Course for Sporting Excellence Through Two-Day Chintan Shivir

Bhubaneswar: With an eye on producing world-class athletes and strengthening Odisha’s position as a leading sporting destination, the Sports and Youth Services Department on Friday launched a two-day Chintan Shivir in Bhubaneswar, bringing together policymakers, sports administrators, athletes, coaches and experts to chart the future course of sports development in the state.

The conclave, aimed at creating a comprehensive roadmap for Odisha’s sporting growth over the next decade, was inaugurated by Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati. Addressing the gathering, the Governor highlighted the state’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent and building a robust ecosystem that supports athletes from the grassroots to the international stage.

Held under the guidance of Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, the event focused on key areas including athlete welfare and social security, talent identification and development, sports science and technology, coach development, public-private partnerships, e-sports and strategies to improve Odisha’s performance in national and international competitions.

Four thematic sessions were held during the day covering Odisha Medal Strategy, Talent Identification and Development from Grassroots to High Performance Centres, Sports Science, Technology and High Performance, and Athlete Welfare and Social Security.

The discussions featured participation from several distinguished personalities from the sporting world, including Padma Shri awardee Deepa Malik, Dilip Tirkey, General Secretary of the Swimming Federation of India Monal Chokshi, Vice President of World Athletics Adille Sumariwalla, Sports Authority of India officials Dr. Bibhu Kalyan Nayak and Lt. Col. Kabilan Sai Ashok, among others.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said Odisha’s sporting strength lies in its villages and rural communities. He stressed the need to bridge the gap between the “padia and podium” by ensuring that talented athletes receive access to quality infrastructure, scientific training and competitive opportunities.

The Minister called for greater coordination among sports associations, district sports officers, school physical education teachers and educational institutions to establish a structured and sustainable sports ecosystem. He noted that the state’s preparations would gain further momentum in view of two major international events scheduled to be hosted in Odisha in 2028 — the World Athletics Indoor Championships and the Asian Athletics Indoor Championships.

Suraj also expressed confidence that Odisha’s efforts would contribute significantly to India’s ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games and help create a new generation of athletes capable of excelling on the global stage.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department Bhupendra Singh Poonia, who delivered the welcome address, emphasized that success in modern sports depends on the effective integration of science, technology and data-driven training methods. He highlighted several government initiatives aimed at identifying and nurturing talent at an early stage.

The recommendations emerging from the Chintan Shivir are expected to guide future policy decisions and strengthen Odisha’s sporting framework in the years ahead. The conclave will conclude on Saturday, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi scheduled to attend the valedictory session as the chief guest.