Bhubaneswar: A Group of Trainee OAS officers from the Gopabandhu Academy of Administration recently visited the Kalinga Stadium, gaining valuable insights into Odisha’s advanced sports infrastructure.
The visit, part of their induction training, highlighted the state government’s strong commitment to athlete development and its ambition to become a premier sporting hub.
During their tour, the trainees had the opportunity to interact with key officials from the Sports and Youth Services Department.
Shri Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Secretary Sports & Youth Services and Dr. Yeddula Vijay, Director of Sports, were present to engage with the future administrators.
Secretary Shri Jadhav presented the roadmap for sports in Odisha, emphasizing the state’s strategic approach to nurturing talent from the grassroots level to international platforms. He also highlighted upcoming major events, including the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze competition.
The Kalinga Stadium, a world-class multipurpose facility, has been a cornerstone of Odisha’s sports promotion efforts, hosting a number of national and international championships.
The visit provided the trainees with a practical understanding of how policy initiatives are translated into tangible infrastructure and programs that support the state’s athletes.
The visit comes at a time when preparations are in full swing for the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze, which is scheduled to be held at the Kalinga Stadium on August 10.
The event will mark a significant milestone for Odisha as it hosts a major international track and field competition for the first time, with over 200 athletes from 19 countries expected to participate.