Discounting the belief that sports requires huge investment, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo today batted for malakhamb and kho-kho to drive home his point. “We need only one pole for malakhamb and a few poles for kho kho. Such sports can be promoted, especially in rural parts of the country, to realise our goal of a healthier and fitter India,” he said at a conclave on “Odisha Sports: Growth and Opportunities”. 

Organised by the Odisha Sports Journalists Association (OSJA), on the eve of the annual general meeting of the Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) in Bhubaneswar, the conclave was graced by Hockey India president, Dilip Tirkey and Olympian sprinter Srabani Nanda as guests of honour.

In his address as the chief guest, Singh Deo advised sports journalists to highlight the positive aspects more than the negative to encourage sportspersons perform better. “The career of a sportsperson is short. Do not kill it before it takes off,” he noted.

Joining the Indian versus foreign coach debate, he further observed that players have to, if required, take help of foreign coaches to compete at the highest levels. “Indian coaches should accompany athletes on foreign trips to upgrade their own skills,” he added.

Tirkey compared the sports infrastructure and facilities in Odisha in the nineties and now and opined that the eastern state has become one of the top destinations of sports in the country during the past decade.

The former Indian hockey captain also appreciated the efforts of successive governments in Odisha in promoting sports, especially hockey, and said the prospects of the stick game in Odisha and India is bright. 

Nanda questioned the practice of hiring foreign coaches and sending athletes on foreign training instead of training Indian coaches to achieve highest standards. She also expressed concern over the low awareness regarding use of performance-enhancing drugs in Indian sports. 

OSJA president Sandeep Mishra, delivering the keynote address, traced the growth of sports in Odisha in the post-independence era, and said efforts should be made to create a sports culture to truly make the state a sporting powerhouse. OSJA secretary Suresh Kumar Swain proposed the vote of thanks. 

Former SJFI presidents G Viswanath and Subodh Malla Barua, and OSJA senior members, Sanatan Pani, K Ravi and Himanshu Patimishra were felicitated on the occasion. A dance programme by Sunayana Dance Group of Bhubaneswar was also staged. OSJA members Samikhya Patnaik and Bimal Roul moderated the event.
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PHOTO: Guests, office-bearers and members of SJFI and OSJA at the conclave on _ Odisha Sports: Growth and Opportunities _ in Bhubaneswar on 28 June 2025.