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India’s recent performance at the Paris Olympics fell short of its achievements in Tokyo, dropping from 40th to 70th in the rankings. This underwhelming outcome presents a timely opportunity to critically assess the state of sports across the nation, with a particular focus on Odisha, which has been lauded as a burgeoning hub of athletic development. Bhubaneswar, in particular, has been dubbed the "sports capital" of India, largely credited to former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s efforts to promote hockey and revive its lost glory. The state has hosted numerous international hockey events in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Construction of the largest hockey stadium in Rourkela has been completed with impressive speed. The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, a focal point of this sports renaissance, was renovated at a considerable yet undisclosed cost.
While Odisha’s commitment to hockey is commendable, a closer examination reveals that the sport’s grassroots impact is minimal. Despite hosting two Hockey World Cups and Champions Trophy matches, hockey remains totally absent from schools and colleges in Bhubaneswar. The performances of Odisha’s men’s and women’s hockey teams at the 2023 National Games in Goa, where they secured 5th and 7th positions respectively, reflect this disconnect. The sport, despite the state's investment, remains primarily a pastime in tribal villages, with little progress towards producing athletes capable of competing at the national and international levels. This is underscored by the fact that only one player from Odisha was selected for the Indian hockey teams in the Paris Olympics.
Odisha’s overall performance in the 2023 National Games also paints a bleak picture. Maharashtra emerged as the champion with 80 gold medals, while Odisha languished in 16th place with just 10 golds. Out of the 117 athletes representing India at the Paris Olympics, only two were from Odisha, with just one in hockey.
Access to the state’s public sports infrastructure, particularly the facilities at the Kalinga Stadium complex, remains a significant concern. The complex boasts a variety of facilities, including a synthetic track, football field, astro-turf hockey stadium, aquatic centre, indoor athletic track, tennis complex, and more. However, there is little transparency regarding access to these resources, and it is unclear whether they are being utilized effectively to nurture Odisha’s sporting talent.
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A few years ago, the state’s Sports Secretary explained that the government had signed 10 MoUs with leading corporations and sports personalities to enhance sports infrastructure and facilities in Odisha. These partnerships, funded through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, were intended to cultivate the next generation of medal winners. Despite these efforts, the effectiveness of these partnerships and the accessibility of the High-Performance Centres (HPCs) they were meant to establish remain unclear.
Moreover, the government has been hesitant to open even the new football grounds developed in Bhubaneswar to the public, raising concerns about the accessibility of the additional 20 football fields currently under development by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority and Odisha Mining Corporation. Similarly, the availability of indoor badminton and table tennis facilities remains ambiguous.
There is a pressing need for Odisha to reassess its sports development strategy and focus on areas with the potential for genuine growth. The composition of India’s contingent at the Paris Olympics offers valuable insights: the team included 29 athletes, 21 shooters, 19 hockey players, and smaller contingents for sports like table tennis, badminton, and archery. Odisha would do well to concentrate on developing athletes in short and long-distance running, archery, and shooting, while also adopting the dedication and professionalism seen in Punjab’s hockey centres and Haryana’s wrestling programs.
The substantial investments and extravagant publicity campaigns by the Odisha government, particularly in hockey, have yet to yield the desired results. It is time for a critical reassessment to ensure that the resources are used effectively to strengthen sports in the state and produce athletes who can compete on the national and international stage.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are the author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
