Bhubaneswar: Rajani Bisi and Anupama Swain were adjudged the best male and female climbers in the 2nd State Sport Climbing Championship that concluded yesterday at the Kalinga Stadium Sport Climbing Complex in Bhubaneswar. DSYS Commissioner-cum-Secretary Vishal Dev presented the trophies to the climbers during the prize distribution ceremony.
The two-day Championship which began on June 23 was the second edition of the Sport Climbing competition with as many as 28 athletes from Odisha participating in the event.
“This was something adventurous and such a thing has been organised for the first time in Odisha. I loved participating in the competition,” said Gayatri Murmu.
Another participant, Krishna Lama said, “Our interest has grown as now 2020 Olympics will feature the sport for the first time. We will practice hard.”
On the other hand, concerned about the future of the sport in Odisha, Chairman of IMF (Indian Mountaineering Federation) East Zone Bijoy Ganguly said, “The wall is good but we have less number of competitors. Around 30 boys and girls are there but we have less number of players in the junior and sub-junior levels. Parents should show some interest and send their kids.”
Ahead of the Championship, the participants were provided training by coaches for two days on June 21 and 22.
Sources in the Odisha Sports Climbing Association informed that the players who have showed their calibre during the championship would be given a chance to take part in the National Sports Climbing Championship to be held later.
The sport climbing complex in Kalinga Stadium was set up by the Odisha government to promote adventure games in Odisha as well as keeping in mind the 2020 Olympics, which will feature the sport for the first time.
The complex constructed as per the specification of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), has facilities for all the three main types of climbing competitions – lead, speed, and bouldering.