Bhubaneswar: In a powerful display of support for inclusive sports, the President of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) and CMD of MGM Group, Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, attended the semi-final match of the National T20 Cricket Tournament for Blind Women 2026.
The high-octane encounter between hosts Odisha and Karnataka took place on 21st January at the Hi-Tech Medical College Ground in Bhubaneswar. Shri Mohanty, widely recognized as a “Sports Czar” for his extensive patronage of various disciplines, spent time interacting with the athletes, praising their extraordinary skill and determination.
OCA Chief Shri Mohanty has been a consistent pillar of support for para-athletes and his gracious presence at the women’s blind cricket semi-final highlights his deep-seated care for specially-abled cricketers, a passion that has previously seen him sponsor and provide essential kits for the Odisha Deaf Cricket Association.
His support underscores a lifelong commitment to philanthropy and the empowerment of specially-abled sportspersons. Beyond his administrative role in cricket, Shri Mohanty has been a steadfast supporter of football, golf, and baseball, recently being elected unopposed as the President of the Amateur Baseball Federation of India. Through the CSR arm of the MGM Group, he has pioneered several sports-centric initiatives, including:
Well known Sports Czar and philanthropist, Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty has been a key driver of sports development in the state, establishing the MGM School of Sports in Cuttack as a high-performance center and championing inclusive athletics.
Shri Mohanty Chairman and Managing Director of MGM Group and President of the Odisha Cricket Association graced the East Zone inter university Cricket Tournament for Men 2025-26 under AIU at Revenshaw University Cuttack, final day Prize giving Ceremony on 22 January.
Beyond his role in cricket administration, Shri Mohanty’s influence spans multiple sporting disciplines including golf, football, and hockey. Through the CSR initiatives of MGM Group, he has significantly impacted the sporting landscape of Odisha.
Notable championships and initiatives supported by the MGM Group under his leadership include: The MGM Odisha T20 Cricket League, The 5th One Day National Zonal Cricket Championship for the Deaf, Major sponsorship for the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation championship and support for the Bhubaneswar Golf Club, The establishment of the MGM School of Sports in Cuttack, a high-performance residential academy for budding talent, The East Zone Inter-University Cricket Tournament for Men 2025-26, where he recently attended the final prize-giving ceremony at Ravenshaw University.
Shri Mohanty’s multifaceted philanthropic attitude is widely lauded across society. His efforts go beyond financial aid, focusing on infrastructure development and creating professional pathways for athletes from all backgrounds. Whether it is supporting international amateur golfers or promoting traditional grassroots sports, his vision remains centered on making Odisha a premier national sports hub.