Odisha has indicated that it is now ready for major challenges by hosting the iconic World Athletics Continental Tour (World Athletics Continental Tour). Long-known as a stronghold of Indian hockey, this state is now turning to athletics, and its clear goal is to establish itself as Multi-Sport Hub.
On August 10, when players from 17 countries were participating in matches like race, jump and throw at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha once again proved that he could not only organize a world -class event, but can also perform it with professional style and pride.
When India is cherishing the dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics, then the big question is who will bear its weight? Ahmedabad may be considered a strong contender, but the country can also consider multi-city models. An idea has been supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently. India still needs a coordinated national effort and this is where the role of Odisha becomes important here.
For a long time, India could not live up to this ancient concept of collective progress. There were quarrels between the states over water, forest and resources. But Odisha, once counted among the poorest areas of the country, is now a new path. From hockey to athletics and other sports … This state is showing that investment in sports does not just mean to create a structure, but also to build culture.
The emergence of sports culture
This revolution began in 2017, when Odisha surprised everyone by hosting the Asian Athletics Championship in preparation for only 90 days. This event was the turn that gave Odisha confident that he could do something big. At that time there were neither enough hotels nor structure, but the state took the opportunity as a challenge instead of retreating.
The same approach was also adopted in hockey. When this game was at the lowest level in terms of popularity and investment, Odisha not only sponsored the Indian team, but also hosted two Hockey World Cups. Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium of Rourkela are counted among the best places in the world today.
An official told India Today, ‘At that time many people raised questions. A state whose priority should be to remove poverty, why is it looking in these works? But people could not understand that the game is an economy in itself. Promoting the game does not mean that you are ignoring economic development. The game also contributes to the economy.
New vision of new Odisha
Now the latest step is towards athletics. Odisha’s goal is clear under the leadership of newly elected Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi- to make India a sports column up to 2036 Olympics.
CM Majhi said to India Today, “To be honest, political will to make a big plan and to carry out.” Recently, he declared the largest sports investment of Rs 4,124 crore so far.
Under this ambitious project of the BJP government, stadiums will be built in 314 blocks of the state, including football grounds, 400 meter athletic track, two badminton courts and an indoor hall.
The Chief Minister said, ‘This will be a holistic campus. We have fixed the land, have completed the procurement process and the construction work will start in the next three-four months. This is a five -year plan.
The players had been demanding such facilities at the ground level for a long time. His demand will be fulfilled by this scheme. Celebrities like Para Badminton’s former world number-1 player Mansi Joshi have also supported these facilities. The Odisha government understands that it is necessary to work on three columns to strengthen sports culture.
Infrastructure, Coaching and Competition
Kalinga Stadium is an example of this, in which the main stadium, indoor stadium, practice ground and sports science center are all present together. The game of Odisha was not suddenly formed. This is the result of closely made strategy. Many officers were sent abroad, so that they could learn the best stadium management and construction tricks.
Companies like Reliance, Tata and Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India were given the responsibility of different sports. The Abhinav Bindra Foundation and the State Government together set up a sports science center at Kalinga Stadium, which features facilities like cryotherapy, dream pod and anti-gravity treadmill.
Apart from this, the state also invested on tourism so that there is no problem of hotels and stagnation when international players arrive. Sports promotes both tourism and employment. For example, there are 3 jobs directly from a 5-star hotel room and 10 jobs indirectly.
Benefits and social impact of investment
Odisha hopes that this investment will give a big socio-economic benefit to the state. Both the Chief Minister and Sports Secretary say that in 5 years, 4000 crore rupees are a very small part of the state’s annual budget of Rs 3 lakh crore.
Puri’s high-performance center is an example of this, where a special structure was built for Kho-Kho players. Now the players there are defeating Maharashtra at the national level and spreading enthusiasm in other districts.
The players get the benefit of cash prizes, education and sports quota in government jobs, making their families financially safe. Sports Secretary Sachin Jadhav says, ‘This is overall development. Whatever children come to these sports hostels, they are almost ensured by some kind of economic security. I am confident that this model will soon be adopted across the country.
India’s Olympic dream will come true only when many states share its responsibility. If states like Odisha take responsibility for some sports and continue the structure forward, then India can be ready to host Olympics through a multi-city model.
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