Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was the Chief Guest at the inaugural of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze, a mega athletics meet held today at the renowned Kalinga Stadium.
The event solidifies Odisha’s growing reputation as a major sports hub on the world stage.
The Chief Minister was welcomed by Sachin R Jadhav, the Secretary for Sports and Youth Services, and presided over the event’s opening ceremony.
He also took the opportunity to honor Sri Bahadur Singh Sagoo, the President of the organizing body, and interacted with ace sprinter Animesh Kujur, a prominent athlete from the state, further underscoring the government’s commitment to nurturing local talent.
The World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze marks a significant milestone for the state, as it’s the first time India has hosted this prestigious international event.
The one-day competition features over 160 athletes from 17 countries, including a large Indian contingent of over 90 athletes. They will be competing across 19 events, including sprints, hurdles, middle-distance races, jumps, and throws. A prize purse of $25,000 is on the line.
The grand event served as a platform for the Chief Minister to highlight the state’s future sports development plans.
He announced an ambitious plan to construct an ultra-modern stadium in Bhubaneswar, costing Rs 1,000 crore, as part of a larger Rs 4,124 crore project to upgrade sports infrastructure across 14 blocks.
These initiatives are a testament to the government’s vision of making Odisha a premier destination for sports and athletics, and a sporting powerhouse in eastern India.