Bhubaneswar: Renowned sports promoter Pankaj Lochan Mohanty has enthusiastically praised the Odisha government’s “Odisha Vision 2036 & 2047” document, calling it a comprehensive and forward-thinking blueprint set to revolutionize the state’s sports landscape.
While the document outlines a broad strategy for economic transformation, its explicit commitment to a “Youthful Odisha: Pioneering Odisha’s sports and wellness revolution” signals a significant and strategic focus on sports development.
Odisha Cricket Association President, Shri Mohanty highlights that the overarching vision to transform Odisha into a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2047, driven by modern infrastructure, digital innovation, and skill development, directly benefits the sports sector. “The emphasis on ‘Investments in modern infrastructure’ is a clear indication that we can expect state-of-the-art sports facilities across the state,” stated Mohanty. “This is absolutely vital for nurturing talent from the grassroots and for positioning Odisha to host national and international events.”
ASSOCHAM Chief Of Odisha , Shri Mohanty said Odisha’s existing robust connectivity, including its road, rail, air, and waterway networks, provides a strong foundation. The ambitious plan to establish at least 15 airports by 2047, including a new international airport potentially in Puri by 2030, will significantly boost accessibility. “Improved connectivity is paramount for sports,” Shri Mohanty emphasized. “It will facilitate seamless travel for athletes, teams, and spectators, enabling Odisha to attract and host even more prominent sporting events, further cementing its reputation as a sporting hub.”
The vision’s focus on “Inclusive growth” and “Skilled in Odisha, skilling for the world” is particularly exciting for sports development, according to ASSOCHAM Odisha Chairman Shri Mohanty. “These objectives translate into a clear roadmap for developing comprehensive sports management programs, extensive training for coaches, sports scientists, and support staff, and creating a robust talent pipeline from grassroots to elite levels,” he explained. The state’s commitment to skill development, including “International Career Centres” and international twinning programs in ITIs and Polytechnics, can be strategically leveraged to produce a pool of global-ready sports professionals. Targeted awareness campaigns about high-paying global jobs and overseas fellowship programs for eligible youth will further bolster this initiative.
While specific details on dedicated sports infrastructure like new stadiums or academies are not extensively detailed in the current excerpts, Ace Sports Promoter, Shri Mohanty points out that the consistent focus on urbanization as a growth engine and the development of “inclusive infrastructure” and “community spaces” strongly imply a broader framework that will encompass world-class sports facilities.
Furthermore, the government’s openness to “Public-private synergy for accelerated growth,” with a projected 67% investment from the private sector, presents a tremendous opportunity for significant private investment in sports infrastructure and academies. “This could lead to the establishment of world-class training facilities and sophisticated talent identification programs, truly elevating Odisha’s sporting prowess,” Shri Mohanty affirmed.
In conclusion, Pankaj Lochan Mohanty firmly believes that Odisha’s Vision 2036 & 2047, while not solely focused on sports, lays an incredibly strong foundation for the state’s transformation into a leading sporting powerhouse. By prioritizing infrastructure development, skill enhancement, inclusive growth, and leveraging public-private partnerships, Odisha is poised to elevate its status as a premier sporting destination, fostering new talent, successfully hosting major events, and ultimately contributing significantly to the “Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat” objective.