The state government on Monday inked pacts with corporate houses to set up 10 high performance centres in various sport disciplines here.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik also unveiled the trophy of Men’s Hockey World Cup in the event held at the Kalinga Stadium.
The centres to be set up include athletics by the Reliance Industries Group, football and swimming by the JSW Group, badminton by the Dalmia Bharat Group, weightlifting by the Ahluwalia Group, shooting by the Aditya Birla Group and hockey by the Tata Group. Besides, the state government also signed an MoU with Xavier-Emlyon Business School to set up a high performance centre for sports management. Similarly Rungta Mines Ltd and Abhinav Futuristic Pvt Ltd will set up an advanced medical rehabilitation centre here.
“The signing of these MoUs has created a long-lasting partnership, which will result in producing sportspersons of world standards. But, this partnership is more than just giving grants and funds, it will focus on extending the outreach of every sport in India,” said Naveen.
Former India cricket team captain Anil Kumble, Indian shuttler and coach Pullela Gopichand and shooter Gagan Narang were also present during the event.
“The Odisha government is promoting sports in a great way. I believe Odisha has a lot of talent and initiatives like these will only help,” said Gopichand.
Sports secretary Vishal Kumar Dev said the move would help in talent scouting and nurturing of players at the grassroots revel. “It is great day not just for the state but for the country as well. This move was long overdue in order to fully develop the quality of sport and sportsmen in the country. By signing these MoUs, we have built a framework, which will work towards sporting education, talent identification at the grassroots levels and infrastructural development at a global level,” said Dev.
The event was followed by a concert by Bollywood singer Sukhwinder Singh. Thousands of spectators remained present in the stadium during the unveiling of the trophy for the hockey world cup. The event will begin from November 28.
