Bhubaneswar: In 2025, Odisha continued its evolution as the sports capital of India, moving beyond its traditional identity as a hockey hub to become a versatile center for global athletics, table tennis, and inclusive sports. The state pursued a dual strategy of hosting world-class international competitions while aggressively decentralizing infrastructure to reach rural and differently-abled talent.
A defining moment for inclusive sports occurred in late 2025 when the Indian women’s blind cricket team scripted history by winning the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Four remarkable girls from Odisha—Phula Soren, Basanti Hansda, Jamuna Rani Tudu, and Parbati Marandi—were instrumental in this victory. Phula Soren was named player of the match in the final against Nepal, while Basanti Hansda earned the same honor in the semi-final. Upon their return, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi felicitated the champions with a cash award of 11 lakh rupees each, hailing them as an inspiration for every Odia and a testament to the power of perseverance over hardship.
The year also marked a historic milestone for track and field at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The city hosted the first-ever Indian Open World Athletics Continental Tour in August, a bronze-level meet that allowed Indian stars to earn international ranking points on home soil. The success of local sensation Animesh Kujur in the sprint events led to plans for further upgrading the stadium’s global status.
In October, the state successfully hosted the 28th Asian Table Tennis Championships, bringing over 400 players from 22 countries to Bhubaneswar. Simultaneously, the state continued to nurture its badminton legacy in Cuttack with the Odisha Masters, a BWF Super 100 tournament that attracted competitors from across the globe.
Infrastructure development took a significant leap forward with the government’s commitment to constructing stadiums in all 314 blocks of the state. This project aims to provide professional-grade facilities to every corner of Odisha, ensuring that youth in remote districts have access to the same training environments as those in the capital. The effectiveness of this rural investment was highlighted when the team from Bargarh defeated Bhubaneswar in the U-15 Inter-District Football Championship, signaling a shift in the state’s talent landscape.
The year concluded with a focus on both traditional and legacy sports. Barabati Stadium in Cuttack hosted a sold-out T20 International between India and South Africa in December, while the Kalinga Stadium hosted the 14th FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup. Through these diverse achievements, from the world cup victory of its visually impaired cricketers to the massive expansion of village-level stadiums, Odisha has reinforced its commitment to a future where sports excellence is accessible to everyone.