Odisha is all set to rise in sports in coming years and necessary modern amenities are on anvil, said Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra at a book-launching programme here on Friday.
He unveiled the book titled “Seizing The Opportunity: The Artist’s Gallery For Penalty Corner & Drag Flick”, written by renowned sports scientist Dr Saju Joseph.
Mahapatra said that under the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s guidance, the State has created enviable sports facilities. Around 100 multipurpose indoor stadiums have been constructed in urban areas with facilities of gym, badminton, table tennis and other sports activities to attract talent pools.
On hosting of Men’s Hockey World Cup next month, he said that for the first time in the history of hockey, the world cup would be played at two places, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. India’s largest Hockey stadium has been set up at Rourkela within a year.
After historic performance by both the hockey teams at the Tokyo Olympics, the State Government has also extended sponsorship contract for them for another 10 years till 2032, he said, adding that a half of the hockey players in national teams would be form Odisha in coming years.
A total of 21 Astroturf fields are under construction in the blocks of Sundargarh district including Rourkela and would be completed before the Hockey World Cup. The district is known as the cradle of Indian hockey, he said.
President of Hockey Association of India Dilip Tirkey said such a book needs to be translated in Odia as hockey players at the grassroots level can read it and draw inspiration. Tirkey was felicitated with a 1,200-gram silver-made hockey stick on the occasion.