Bhubaneswar, the Capital of the state of Odisha, is known for its almost 500 temples. It is a rich cultural heritage. Bhubaneswar also became the sports capital of India after it hosted the Hockey Championship Trophy by Hockey India. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik pushed youths towards the sports curriculum. Let’s know about how Bhubaneswar became the Sports Capital of India in no time.

Sports Championships held at Bhubaneswar

In 2013, the Odisha government launched Odisha’s own Hockey Team, named “Hockey Lancers”. After that, Odisha did not stop and is rapidly growing in the sports sector. They aimed for the Hockey India League first, where they earned recognition. Odisha held various sports events in Kalinga Stadium and Barabati Stadium. Yes, some cricket matches were held at Barabati Stadium, and that way, people knew about Odisha.

Let’s look at the sports championships which were held at Bhubaneswar and Rourkela

• In 2014: Hockey Champions Trophy
• In 2015: Indo-Japan Hockey Series
• In 2017: The Final of FIH Hockey World League, Athletics Federation of India conducted Asian Athletics Championships
• In 2018: Hockey World Cup, Rugby India and Odisha Rugby Football Association Conducted Asia Rugby U18 Girls Rugby Sevens Championships, Odisha Tennis Association conducted India F1 Futures
• In 2019: Women’s Gold Cup, Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships
• In 2021: FIH Hockey Junior World Cup for Men Category
• In 2022: BWF World Tour, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
• In 2023: Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup

The Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup was held from January 13 to January 29, 2023, at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, with a seating capacity of 20,000, and the legendary Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre (ONTH-HPC)

The government of Odisha, Tata Trusts(Hockey Ace Foundation), and Tata Steel initiated a program under the HPC banner of the Government of Odisha on August 13, 2019. It is located at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha; it is a professional hockey institute. It is one of the 11 HPCs which have been set up under the CM Naveen Patnaik and Secy Sports Cum Commissioner Shre Vineel Krishna.

Here are all 11 HPCs:

1. Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance (ABTP)
2. Dalmia Bharat Gopichand Badminton Academy
3. JSW Swimming HPC
4. Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) for Athletics, Hockey, and Weightlifting
5. KJS Ahluwalia and Tenvic Sports HPC for Weightlifting
6. Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre (ONTHHPC)
7. Odisha Aditya Birla and Gagan Narang Shooting HPC
8. Reliance Foundation Odisha Athletics HPC
9. SAI Regional Badminton Academy
10. Udaan Badminton Academy
11. AIFF High-Performance Centre

Odisha Naval Tata Hockey HPC runs under Chanakya Chaudhary, the chairman of Hockey Ace Foundation. The Odisha government wants to train the talent of Odisha and help them to achieve national and international participation. The main goal is to allow them to succeed in the Olympics.

Why is Bhubaneswar called the Sports Capital of India?

Narinder Dhruv Batra, former president of the Indian Olympic Association(IOA), thought of the idea of calling Bhubaneswar – the sports capital of India. Mumbai is the Financial Capital of India, and Bengaluru is the IT capital of India. He observed the growth and development of hockey in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Here is why is Bhubaneswar Called the sports capital:

• For Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) League.
• For the Wheelchair Basketball 3×3
• For sponsoring National Hockey Teams as the first Indian state.
• For supporting Indian National Rugby teams
• For sponsoring U-15 Football team and I-league Team Indian Arrows
• For Hosting the inaugural Khelo India University Games at KIIT university

Wind-Up:

The people of Odisha are proud of the Odisha Government for showcasing talents across Odisha and helping them financially, mentally, and physically to achieve success in the sports sector. More and more people are interested in the sports sectors in Odisha.

References:

Wikipedia

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