MoU with AMNS for 4 gymnastics centres in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Arcelor Mittal-Nippon Steel (AMNS) India to set up a high performance centre (HPC) for gymnastics in the capital to promote and develop the sport.
As a part of this agreement, academies will also be set up in Puri, Jeypore and Rourkela too.
"The state government will create and maintain the infrastructure for the HPC and academies while AMNS India will operate and manage these centres and train gymnasts, in particular women gymnasts, and provide coaching development and certification, and judge certification," a government statement said.
Sports secretary Vineel Krishna and deputy director (human resource and administration) of AMNS India Keiji Kubota signed the deal in the presence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik in Kyoto.
Speaking at the event, Naveen said the government is dedicated to the development of sports. "Gymnastics as an Olympic sport is evolving and has always had mass appeal. Odisha has a pool of talent who under expert guidance and a holistic support system can be nurtured to become international gymnasts over the next five years. I am delighted to see our state and AMNS India come together yet again, this time to promote gymnastics. This partnership will go a long way in creating a vibrant gymnastics ecosystem in the country and help us identify and develop young talent for the future," he said.
The state's earlier collaboration with AMNS India during the Ultimate Kho Kho League proved fruitful with its sponsored team Odisha Juggernauts emerging champions.
The Odisha AMNS Gymnastics High Performance Centre will be housed in the Kalinga Stadium here for senior athletes participating in the 'Elite Senior Gymnastics Programme'. The three 'Odisha AMNS Gymnastics Academies will be located in Puri, Jeypore, and Rourkela for grassroots level athletes.
The HPC and academies will focus on creating a robust scouting framework, develop talent from Odisha to compete at national and international levels with competent coaching teams, quality equipment and sports science support. It will develop a gymnastics ecosystem with long-term sustenance, with coach development and certification, judge certification and with a special focus on female gymnasts, the government statement said.
The athletes will receive international and national exposure in addition to academic support. The programme will help develop the sport in India and build a strong foundation of skilled coaches, trainers and support staff.
The state has set up many high performance centres (HPCs) in partnership with various corporate house for sports such as swimming, shooting, weightlifting, football, hockey, sports science and athletics since 2019.