Khelo India Centres have been established in all 30 districts of Odisha to strengthen grassroots sports infrastructure across the state.
These centres were set up through a joint collaboration between the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Department of Sports and Youth Services of the Odisha government. The initiative aims to nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level.
Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj inaugurated the centres at a special function held at Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.
Minister Suraj stated that the centres are designed to provide essential sports infrastructure for various disciplines, including football, volleyball, hockey, athletics, kho-kho, and kabaddi.
Each Khelo India Centre will also offer training and coaching facilities to help young athletes hone their skills. The Minister added that this initiative will ensure that sporting talent from every district, including those beyond major cities, gets the opportunity to flourish.
Every Khelo India Centre will receive an annual grant of Rs 5 lakh from the government to ensure smooth operations.
Former national and state-level athletes will serve as coaches, offering professional training to aspiring players and promoting local sports, the Minister said.
During an interaction with district-level officials, athletes, and coaches, Suraj encouraged young athletes and mentors to work towards building a golden future in sports. He also discussed the roadmap for the overall development of sports in Odisha.
