Sports Minister of Odisha is currently one of the main persons behind the impetus given to sports in Odisha. Tusharkanti Behera, spoke to TimesofIndia.com on the sidelines of FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup Here in Bhubaneswar.
The minister kept the youth theme central in most of his answers, including some tough questions, such as what happens to the state’s effort to improve sports infrastructure and support if the Naveen Patnaik government comes to power in the next elections. Is.
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Odisha has come a long way when it comes to sports and continues to extend its support. We can see the work being done inside the Kalinga Stadium complex, Rourkela and other places. Can you talk to us a little bit more about that to support and develop sports that’s coming from the Chief Minister’s Office?
Under the guidance and able leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ji since last 7-8 years, we have been able to successfully organize all national and international events at the Kalinga Stadium as well as Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor, Bhubaneswar. Stadium in Cuttack… Also, we are going to other districts day by day. We have started some programs through Naval Tata Hockey Academy for coaching and training at the grassroots level.
Image credits: Twitter handle of Odisha Sports
In addition, we have been able to create other infrastructure for swimming, football and athletics; And within the next six months, 89 multipurpose indoor stadiums will be built in all urban areas. This process is currently under tender.
People from other states, and sometimes even within Odisha, see this as a push to host more international events overall. What would you like to say in response to this?
Scouting part is challenging for us as we are doing scouting at block level, advertising for scouting then going to schools, different associations, different associations so that there is no communication gap between district sports officers, coaches. candidates at the school level and at the block level. The search is on for Under-12 and Under-14 players.
We have 16 hostels with a capacity of around 1200 and we are trying to increase that capacity within the next six months. All sports hostels will be reorganized so that later those hostels can also become sports schools and academy. We will tie up with educational institutions so that there is no gap in the academic curriculum of the players.
Are you even getting corporate support for this because all this infrastructure development is worth crores. If yes, at what level does it happen?
Yes, there are associations with corporates as well. We are giving them space, some CSR funds of corporates are being used. Also, we are attracting mentors or players of international level to lend their expertise. We are giving space and infrastructure (for academies and high performance centres). Then we are looking for players not only within Odisha, but across India.
Dutee Chand is an elite athlete from the state. In the past, there has been criticism that there is too much support for an individual athlete rather than all athletes of ability. How have you handled it?
No, we are focusing on the players, what kind of player he is and what kind of player he is representing – national level, international level. We have classified the subjects as category A, B, C, D. So (depending on) which player is representing Odisha or India at which level, we are sponsoring the player accordingly. It is not that we are biased or that we are spending too much for one person. it is not true.
Dutee Chand (Facebook photo)
Do you keep track of funds released to players? Case in respect of BMW dispute involving Dutee Chand.
Yes, we are keeping an eye on the expenditure by the government on each player.
There is a question that there are many people tracking Odisha’s contribution to sports in India. Elections are to be held in the state in 2023. If another government comes to power, the political landscape can change. What is the push for the game in that case?
First of all, I would like to quote the quote of Hon’ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik: “Sports for the youth and youth for the future.” Such is his statement. I think sports is a platform to channelize the energy of youth. That’s the main thing. Apart from sports, we are also spending heavily on infrastructure expansion as well as skill development. So the youth need to be engaged in all these types of things for their development, only then it can take Odisha on the progressive path.
So you are saying that if Odisha government invests in youth, then youth will show more trust in the government and also vote to remain in power?
It is evident.
What is the role of institutions like Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) as one of the major partners of the government in promoting sports?
I would like to thank Hon’ble Member of Parliament Dr. Achyuta Samant (Founder of KIIT and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences). Due to his involvement in so many things, his (KIIT) campus has also hosted many (sports) events, such as the Khelo India University Games. We had also posted some officials and sportspersons in that campus. They are very helpful, and the government is encouraging sportspersons to go to different universities to hone their skills, and also to get in touch with others (competitions).
Image credits: Twitter handle of Odisha Sports
Odisha also owns league teams/franchisees such as Kalinga Lancers for the Hockey India League and Odisha FC in the Indian Super League. What is the thought process behind that investment?
Hon’ble Chief Minister has sponsored Indian Hockey teams for the next 10 years (till 2033). In the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Indian men’s hockey team, we (Odisha) had two players. That’s why our focus is to ensure that maximum number of players from Odisha represent the country in the national teams. We are focusing not only on the discipline, but also on whether the players in that particular discipline should have different sets of skills like defender, striker or goalkeeper. so i hope in the next olympics Or in the coming matches, more players from Odisha will be part of our national teams.
You just mentioned the Olympics. Earlier this year, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief and International Hockey Federation head, Narinder Batra, had said that India may push for hosting the Olympics in 2036. Is there anything in the mind of the Odisha government that the state should do. By the time India decides to bid for the Olympics, is all the infrastructure in place?
We are now preparing in such a way that more sportspersons from different disciplines will participate in the upcoming Olympics, be it 2024 or 2028. We are investing heavily in infrastructure, and this will come to the fore in many disciplines like athletics, swimming. Apart from archery, hockey, shooting. If the Indian government is successful in hosting the Olympics in the future, I think Odisha will make a major contribution to that event.
Have you had any informal discussion with the IOA President about this so far?
We are talking formally and informally. But again, it is up to the Government of India, if the country decides to bid for the Olympics.
Image credits: Twitter handle of Odisha Sports
Another Hockey World Cup (senior men) is coming up in 2023, and Rourkela will be on the world map this time along with Bhuvneshwar. Despite many covid enforced brakes, a lot of infrastructure development is going on in the Steel City…
Hockey is especially part of the culture of that region and is a part of every child’s childhood. The world’s largest hockey stadium with a seating capacity of more than 20,000 is under construction in Rourkela. I have reviewed the progress of things as well as the stadium and other facilities.
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