Sports talents’ identification, grooming stressed

Rural Odisha has plenty of sports talents and they can excel at national and international levels if they are identified at appropriate time and provided with right kind of support, said experts at a State-level seminar held here recently.

Inaugurating the seminar on ‘Role of Sports in Development of Nation’ organised jointly by the Kalinga Sports and Delhi-based Stairs, Rayagada DFO Debarchan Behera said many of Odisha’s sports stars had humble origin and they rose to their presence position of eminence due to right kind of encouragement and incentives.

Muniguda BDO Dr Dillip Kumar Behera said Rayagada district has many sports talents and they need to be connected with the wider platforms for showcasing their talents.

Senior IMFA PRO Rabi Narayan Prusty said his organisation’s Ekalabya Award and other sports promotional activities have greatly contributed to development of sports in the State.

Vedanta, Lanjigarh PRO Sidharth Shankar Behera said sports shapes good future citizens. Zilla Parishad Member Ramachandra Behera also spoke.

Noted social worker Gouranga Charan Rout presided over the meeting. Among others, Kalinga Sports regional coordinator CB Singh , senior journalist Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, Muniguda SDPO Anant Prasad Mallick and Police Inspector JK Hial were present.