Odisha ropes in industries to improve sports infrastructure

BHUBANESWAR: To give an additional impetus to the development of sports infrastructure in Odisha, the state government on Monday signed MoUs with seven leading industrial houses of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “The signing of the 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.”
The CM along with president of International Hockey Federation (FIH) Narinder Dhruv Batra unveiled the World Cup Trophy ahead of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneshwar 2018 slated to begin from November 28.
At the event, the Reliance Industries Group has announced to set up a Reliance Foundation Odisha High Performance Athletics Centre, the JSW Group will set up two high performance centres (HPC) for football and swimming. Similarly, the Dalmia Bharat Group in association with Pulela Gopichand Badminton Foundation will set up a high-performance centre for badminton, the Ahluwalia Group will enhance infrastructure in weightlifting and the Aditya Birla Group will set up Birla-Gagan Narang Shooting High Performace Centre in association with Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation. The Tata Group has signed the MoU for setting up Tata Odisha Hockey HPC. Besides, the Rungta Mines and Abhinav Futuristics will set up a HPC and Advanced Medical Rehabilitation Centre.
Sports secretary Vishal Dev said, “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 this MoUs we have built a framework which will work towards sporting education, talent identification at grass root levels and infrastructural development at a global level.”
Apart from the industrialists who shared their views on investing in sports infrastructure, celebrity sports persons like Anil Kumble, Gagan Narang and actor Rahul Bose were also present on the occasion.