Bhubaneswar, April 21, 2025 – In a major step toward strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure, Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj inaugurated 30 Khelo India Centres, one in each district of the state, at a ceremony held at Kalinga Stadium.
These centres have been established in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Odisha’s Department of Sports and Youth Services, aiming to identify and nurture young sporting talent across various disciplines including football, volleyball, hockey, athletics, kho-kho, and kabaddi.
Each centre will receive an annual grant of ₹5 lakh to support its operations. Former national and state-level athletes will be appointed as coaches to provide professional training to aspiring players.
Speaking at the event, Minister Suraj highlighted that the initiative would ensure sports opportunities reach beyond major cities, tapping talent from rural and remote areas. He also stressed the inclusion of local sports in the training curriculum to preserve and promote traditional games.
Principal Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma shared the operational framework of the centres, while district officials, athletes, and coaches joined the event virtually and welcomed the move as a game-changer for Odisha’s sports ecosystem.
Encouraging young athletes, the minister urged them to strive for excellence and contribute to building a bright future for sports in the state.
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