Bhubaneswar: To make Odisha a ‘Sports Hub’ in the entire country, the State Government has allocated Rs 1,315 crore for sports and youth services.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a Rs 98 crore hike in the State’s Annual Sports Budget from last year’s Rs 1,217 crore for the financial year 2024-25.
This includes Rs 1210 crore earmarked for the program budget and Rs 105 crore under the establishment, operations and maintenance (EOM) budget.
The Chief Minister has once again reiterated his pledge towards development of sports, athletes and related infrastructure on the floor of the House.
Following are the highlights of the sports budget allocated by State Government for the current financial year:
The Government has proposed an outlay of Rs 952 crore for a new world-class stadium in Bhubaneswar, setting up world-class sports academies in 4 zones across the state, establishment of district-level sports academies, activation of mini stadia and for the development of sports at a grass root level.
The Government has also earmarked Rs 100 crore for the Yuva Shakti Yojana for the integrated development of the youth.
The CM has announced the Khela Ratna Khoja Abhiyaan to scout for promising young athletes at the grassroots level and nurture them for the future.
Further, Rs 65 crore has been allocated as assistance for outstanding sportspersons and for organizing various competitions in the current financial year.
Today, sports is not just a means of physical fitness, but a tool for the overall development of youth and the pride of our state. With this substantial investment, Odisha will continue to emerge as a hub of sporting excellence and young athletes will have all the facilities and support they need to succeed on national and international platforms. Through initiatives such as the ‘Khela Ratna Khoja Abhiyaan’ and ‘Yuva Shakti’, Odisha will nurture and promote the next generation of champions.
These investments reflect Odisha’s long-term commitment to developing not only sports infrastructure but also creating a robust ecosystem that fosters talent from the grassroots and builds a strong foundation for future sporting achievements.