Bhubaneswar: President of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty graced the Player Draft of the inaugural Odisha Pro T20 League 2025, held on the evening of 12 September 2025 at Mayfair Convention Bhubaneswar.
Shri Sanjay Behera, Secretary, OCA, Shri Prabhat Bhol, Joint Secretary, OCA, and Shri Bikash Pradhan, Treasurer, OCA, along with members of the Odisha Cricket Association and franchise owners, were also present at the event.
Shri Ashirbad Behera, Secretary of the Football Association of Odisha and Secretary of the Odisha Athletic Association, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Shri Mohanty’s presence at the Odisha Pro T20 League 2025 player draft highlights his commitment to the new league. The league is a significant step toward providing a professional platform for the state’s cricketers.
It features six teams—Cuttack Panthers, Sambalpur Warriors, Puri Titans, Bhubaneswar Tigers, Keonjhar Miners, and Rourkela Steelers—and is expected to raise the standard of competition and give players valuable high-intensity experience. The OCA has partnered with Arivaa Sports to ensure the professional execution of the league.
Beyond his role at the OCA, Shri Mohanty’s leadership as Chairman of the MGM School of Sports reinforces his dedication to youth development. The MGM School of Sports is actively involved in coaching and skill development, providing a crucial training ground for aspiring cricketers.
The school has hosted various camps and coaching courses, including those for umpires and coaches, and has also served as a venue for state-level tournaments and selection camps for teams like the Odisha Ranji Trophy squad. His meeting with former Indian cricketer and National Cricket Academy director, VVS Laxman, underscores his strategic efforts to align with the national cricketing body’s vision for talent development.
A major initiative under Shri Mohanty’s presidency is the establishment of the OCA Centre of Excellence. This ambitious project includes two key components: the Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab Cricket Feeder Centre, a residential academy for U-14 boys and girls, and the upgrade of the Sachin Tendulkar Indoor Hall into a high-performance Sachin Tendulkar Sports Science Centre.
These facilities are designed to provide scientific training, advanced injury management, and holistic development for cricketers, from the grassroots level to elite players.