Odisha, emerged as India's 2019 best state promoting sports

Hotelier India , Dec 13, 2019

Odisha (known to many of us as Orissa) is an ancient land like no other with rich and diverse history. We do, however, know that Mother Nature hasn’t been kind to this estate. But to state facts, Odisha fought back and is in no time back on its feet, all the while not losing faith and spirit.

Rebirth of Odisha is not untouched by modernity; the state has bridged the gaps between its past and present by keeping its traditions and culture alive. Having already hosted five international sports events in the state capital, the year 2018 was eventful for Odisha as it successfully put itself on the world sports map and as an emerging sports hub in India. The state government created world-class infrastructure to host the global event while Bhubaneswar, the state capital, was decked up to welcome the sports lovers.

In the last one year, Odisha has made significant strides in the field of sports by hosting some of the prestigious sporting events, including the Hockey Olympic Qualifiers and the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship. It has set a precedent by launching High Performance Centers in various sports disciplines with corporates and eminent sportspersons, in a unique partnership model.

Owing to Odisha’s achievement, it came as no surprise when it bagged the hosting rights for the prestigious Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023. Odisha would continue to be the hotbed of hockey tournaments in the country with the FIH naming the city as the host for the 2023 Men's World Cup.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s dream to make Odisha the No 1 sports promoting state of India received a notable compliment with Odisha State Badminton Association (OSBA) taking up the responsibility of hosting the 33rd Sub-Junior National Badminton Championships for U-15 and U-17 boys and girls in Bhubaneswar from 17 to 22 December, 2019.

The State Government of Odisha, thus, bagged the prestigious ‘Best State Promoting Sports Award’ at the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019 held at the FICCI Federation House on 12 December. Odisha, in the last few years, which deservedly got the Sportstar Aces award for the Best State for Promotion of Sports, has put itself on the fast forward mode to become a global sports destination. This award is recognition of the State’s exemplary achievements and outstanding contributions to sports.

Odisha Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs Tusarkanti Behera graced the award occasion. Vishal Kumar Dev, Secretary Sports & Youth Affairs and Tourism received the Award on behalf of the State. As a hyperactive mandarin, Dev has been instrumental is taking up sports activities in Odisha to a next level, for which Odisha is receiving accolades in both National and International Forums.

The coveted FICCI India Sports Awards are an attempt by FICCI to acknowledge and recognise the contribution of sports persons and various stakeholders who deliver excellent results during the year. The FICCI India Sports Awards 2019 have been conferred by a jury headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal, former Judge of Delhi High Court and Punjab & Haryana High Court.

The low population density of Odisha, new infrastructure for various athletic events, complemented by its improved air and rail connectivity and a plethora of tourist destinations seem to favour the state to become a hub of major international sporting events.

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