Odisha to recruit Sports Officers at block level: Minister Suryabanshi Suraj
Bhubaneswar: In order to promote sports and select the talented youths at the grass-root level, the Odisha government has decided to recruit Sports Officers at the block level, informed Sports & Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Kalinga Stadium Tennis Center Auditorium, Suryabanshi Suraj said that the State government has decided to spend Rs 4124 crore with an aim to develop sports infrastructure including building of stadiums at a total of 314 blocks to promote sports among the local youths.
Sports Officers will be recruited at the block level and three local persons will be posted as coaches so that they give training to the local youths who wants to excel in sports or want to make their career in sports, said the Minister.
The Sports Officers and coaches will select the talented sports persons at the block level and later they will be given training to excel in their respective field of sports, he added.
The Sports Minister further informed that the state government will give equal importance for promotion of various sports such as football, cricket, athletics, volleyball and indigenous games like kho-kho and kabaddi.
Additionally, indoor sports halls in the proposed stadiums will be equipped for badminton, table tennis, gymnastics and weightlifting
Notably, the Odisha Government is now sponsoring the Indian national rugby team for the next three years and facilitate high performance training and conditioning of the players. This apart, it is also sponsoring both the Indian Hockey teams (Men & Women) since 2018. It will continue till 2036.
The State government also had extended its support for the Indian Super League (ISL) team Odisha FC. However, the state is yet to produce expected number of national or international players, except a few in hockey and rugby. But with the Sports Minister’s announcement for the appointment of Sports Officers and coaches at block level,it will now to boost the morale of the youths who are though talented but need opportunities at the block level.
