Govt vehicle on Kalinga Stadium athletic track: BJD leader decries, Odisha Sports Minister responds

An incident involving a government vehicle parked on the running track at Kalinga Stadium has sparked controversy. However, Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj addressed the concerns raised by BJD leader Tusharkanti Behera, on Sunday.

Taking to his ‘X’ handle last night, the BJD leader wrote, “Athletic track in Kalinga Stadium: During @Naveen_Odisha's Era, it was a running track of international athletes. Now, it is running track of vehicles belonging to the ruling party (BJP) leaders. It is outrageously disappointing for all sportspersons and shameful for Odisha.”

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Reacting to this, Sports Minister Suraj remarked that the BJD leader has been particularly more vocal and active following his departure from the sports ministry. He explained that the two vehicles’ access to the sports track was due to an emergency, although further details were withheld for confidentiality involving sportspersons and staffer.

Highlighting protocol, the Sports Minister also mentioned that high-profile visitors, including political leaders, usually leave their vehicles outside and enter on foot. He assured that such action was a rare necessity, prompted by urgent circumstances.

“It was not a normal situation and the former sports minister also might have realised this. It was raining heavily. Unless there is an emergent situation or a medical necessity, we will not enter any vehicle into the stadium premises as we have the common sense,” the Sports Minister expressed in his reply in a presser.

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“Several senior leaders earlier visited the spot (Kalinga Stadium) by keeping their vehicles outside. I have also visited around 100 times keeping vehicles outside. Had there been no emergent situation, I would not have entered the vehicle,” the Sports Minister said.

“I would thank the former sports minister (Tusharkanti Behera) that he has become more active after being discharged from his responsibilities. There are certain things which require confidentiality; hence, those should not be made public,” the Sports Minister stated.