Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday asserted that Odisha will soon be a power house of sports.
Inducting as many as 39 meritorious sports persons of the State from various disciplines, he said that the State government will continue to support the sportspersons in every possible manner to enable them to achieve their dreams.
“The State will produce many sportspersons, and make the state and country proud in the coming years,” he emphasized.
Speaking on State’s achievements, he said, “We have embarked on a journey to make Odisha a sports powerhouse. In the last few years, Odisha has featured prominently in the sports sector in the country. We have successfully hosted a number of national and international events. Hockey World Cup 2018 and Asian Athletics championship 2017 have been a great success for the State.”
Putting a premium on the youth of the state, he said that youth are the future of our State. Sports is the best way to teach good virtues and channelize the energies of youth in a positive manner.
“Therefore, investment in sports is investment in youth. Investment in youth is investment in the future of this State, he added.
Stating that the State is investing more than Rs 1000 crore in developing the sports infrastructure across the state, he added that we are building India’s largest hockey stadium in Rourkela for the Hockey World Cup in 2023.
On the state’s strategy in sports, he said that we have partnered with Corporates and eminent sportspersons to start High Performance centers.
Coaching at the grassroots level and sports education in schools is a major focus area to develop sports across the state, he added.
The Chief Minister said that State’s para athletes have also been performing well at international level.
Arjuna Awardee Pramod Bhagat has qualified for Paralympics and is a leading contestant for the medal. We would like to continue to financially support our para athletes and also provide job related support for them to excel in the sports field, he added.
Of those sportspersons who joined the Police force on Saturday, 30 are women sports persons.
Earlier, 96 sports persons have been appointed in various ranks of Odisha Police in 6 phases.
Congratulating the new entrants, the Chief Minister said, “It’s a big moment for you to join a job and share the responsibilities of your families. I am sure your parents and families are proud of your achievement. It requires lot of passion, discipline and hard work to excel in sports.”
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the extension of e-FIR under the 5T initiative for public Place Theft.
It will help people in lodging FIR relating to chain snatching, laptop, mobile theft etc at public places.
They need not go to any police station and lodge an FIR from any place any time in virtual police station at State Crime Record Bureau. The complainant will also get an SMs alert on the progress of the investigation.
DGP Abhay gave the welcome address and Principal Secrtary Sports Vishal Dev also spoke on the occasion.
Secretary to CM 5-T VK Pandian coordinated the function and interacted with the new recruits and advised them to set goals for better performances and go up the ladder in their career.
He expected that through their performance they can bring glory for the state and the country.
Director Intelligence Lalit Das, ACS Home Sanjeev Chopra and other senior police officials were also present on the occasion.