Bhubaneswar : The felicitation of medal-winning athletes, sprinter Pratik Maharana and long jumper Sarun Payasingh, by Secretary Sports and Youth Services, Shri Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, is a shining example of Odisha’s commitment to nurturing its sportspersons.
Shri Jadhav has been instrumental in executing the state’s comprehensive and multi-faceted strategy to transform Odisha into a premier sporting powerhouse in India. His focus is on creating a sustainable ecosystem that supports athletes from the grassroots to the international podium.
Panchayat-to-Podium Grassroots Development: The core of the strategy is the ambitious plan to build multi-sport stadiums in all 314 blocks of the state. These facilities, which typically include a football ground, an athletic track, and indoor courts, are designed to democratize access to world-class sports infrastructure. This model aims to scout and nurture talent directly from rural areas and feed them into specialized training centers.
World-Class Infrastructure and High-Performance Centres (HPCs): Odisha has invested heavily in creating state-of-the-art facilities like the Kalinga Stadium Complex, which hosts India’s first and only indoor athletics stadium and a High-Performance Centre (HPC). These centres are run in partnership with private entities and foundations, focusing on specific disciplines and providing advanced coaching, sports science, and recovery facilities such as the Sports Science Centre at Kalinga Stadium.
Financial Security and Career Progression: Shri Jadhav emphasizes ensuring a viable career path for athletes. The state’s model provides not just lucrative cash prizes for performance, but also essential support through:
- Residential Sports Hostels: Providing accommodation, education, and intensive training.
- Financial Incentives: Cash awards for winning medals at various levels.
- Government Jobs: Offering secure employment under the sports quota to athletes emerging from the state-run system, providing long-term economic security for the sportspersons and their families.
Hosting Mega-Events: Under the leadership of the DSYS, Odisha regularly hosts major national and international competitions, such as the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze and the Asian Table Tennis Championships 2025. These events serve a dual purpose: they provide local athletes with crucial international exposure at home and elevate the state’s global image as a reliable host for major sports tournaments.
Holistic Athlete Support: The focus extends beyond training to holistic development. Regular interactions with sports veterans, as seen in the recent meeting with hockey star Amit Rohidas and Olympians, are part of a strategy to leverage the experience of retired players for policy-making and mentoring the next generation.
The immediate recognition given to Pratik Maharana and Sarun Payasingh is a tangible manifestation of Shri Jadhav’s approach—to keep the athletes motivated and assured of the government’s sustained backing, reinforcing the message that their dedication and achievements are valued at the highest level.