Sports in Odisha

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* Angul
* Balangir
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* Bhadrak
* Boudh
* Cuttack
* Debagarh
* Dhenkanal
* Gajapati
* Ganjam
* Jagatsinghpur
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Sports is an important part of the culture of Odisha and plays a key role in development of the state. Field hockey, athletics, association football, cricket, weightlifting, rugby union and rugby sevens are among the most popular sports in the Indian state of Odisha. Odisha is also referred to as the Sports Capital of India,[1] due to the extensive development of a robust sports ecosystem, infrastructure and hosting of major domestic and international sporting events.[2] The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack are among the major stadiums in the state.

## Field hockey

[edit]

Odisha's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Unveiling the Trophy of the 2016–17 Men's FIH Hockey World League Final

Field hockey is the most popular sport in the state. In a first-of-its-kind association, the Government of Odisha, has become the first state government in India to sponsor a national team. In early 2018, the government launched its sporting logo, signing a five-year sponsorship agreement with Hockey India, replacing the former sponsors.[3] Odisha field hockey team has been providing India, with some extremely talented players, who eventually are called up for the national teams, i.e. India men's national field hockey team and India women's national field hockey team.

The 35th edition of the Hockey Champions Trophy i.e. 2014 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy was held between 6–14 December 2014 in Bhubaneswar, India.[4]

The 3rd and the last edition of the FIH Hockey World League, i.e. the qualification stage for the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup, was held in Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

The 14th edition of the Hockey World Cup i.e. 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup, was held from 28 November to 16 December 2018, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Belgium turned out to be the champions after defeating Netherlands in the Final on 16 December 2018.

In 2019, the Government of Odisha, Tata Steel & Tata Trusts (Hockey Ace foundation) joined hands to launch Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre to train and prepare the next generation of hockey talent in the state. [5]

### Internationals

[edit]

Not an exhaustive list.
Represented in major global and continental competitions.

Men

* Dilip Tirkey
* Lazarus Barla
* Ignace Tirkey
* William Xalco
* Prabodh Tirkey
* Sunil Ekka
* Roshan Minz
* Bikash Toppo
* Samir Baxla
* Belsajar Horo
* Innocent Kullu
* Manjit Kullu
* Birendra Lakra
* Amit Rohidas
* Sushant Tirkey

* Dipsan Tirkey
* Nilam Sanjeep Xess
* Shilanand Lakra
* Ashis Kumar Topno
* Abhisek Lakra

Women

* Gloria Dung Dung
* Jyoti Sunita Kullu
* Mukta Xalxo
* Paulina Surin
* Agnecia Lugun
* Annarita Kerketta
* Subhadra Pradhan
* Binita Toppo
* Sarita Lakra
* Anjana Barla
* Nilima Kujur
* Binita Xess
* Mukta Prava Barla
* Poonam Toppo
* Roselin Dung Dung

* Sulochana Kishan
* Deep Grace Ekka
* Anupa Barla
* Sunita Lakra
* Namita Toppo
* Lilima Minz
* Rashmita Minz
* Punam Barla
* Mariana Kujur
* Jyoti Chhatri
* Sunelita Toppo

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|
|

## Athletics

[edit]

Sport of athletics is another major sport in the state. Odisha has been producing some of the India's finest athletes who dominate in national and international sporting events. The 22nd edition of the Asian Athletics Championships i.e. 2017 Asian Athletics Championships, was held from 6 to 9 July 2017 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Around 560 athletes from 41 countries attended the international event.[6][7]

## Football

[edit]

Association football is also an uprising, popular sport in Odisha. Football Association of Odisha (FAO) is the administrating governing body for football in Odisha. In women's football particularly, the Odisha women's football team has dominated at national levels. They have a team Odisha FC that plays and compete with others in ISL. Odisha FC also has a women's team that plays in the Indian Women's League. A club called Sports Odisha also participates in this league, as well as the Indian men's fourth division of football, I-League 3. A club known as Samaleswari SC also used to play in the I-League Second Division, which was then the second tier in Indian Football.

### Internationals

[edit]

Men

* A. M. Bachan (1951)
* Golak Samal (1955)
* Deba Singh (1967–1968)
* R. P. Singh (2000–2002)

Women

* Sradhanjali Samantaray (1997–2007)
* Ranjita Mohanty (1999–2007)
* Pinky Bompal Magar (2005–2013)
* Gitanjali Khuntia (2007)
* Sasmita Mallik (2007–2017)
* Prasanti Pradhan (2007)
* Alochana Senapati (2007–2012)
* Gayatri Mallick (2010)
* Supriya Routray (2010–2016)
* Sita Sharma (2010–2012)
* Suprava Samal (2010–2014)

* Rashmita Patra (2011)
* Lochana Munda (2011–2017)
* Swarnamayee Samal (2011)
* Bijayalaxmi Sahoo (2011)
* Tikina Samal (2013–2014)
* Manisa Panna (2015–)
* Pyari Xaxa (2015–)
* Jabamani Tudu (2016–)
* Juli Kishan (2022–)
* Manisha Naik (2025–)
* Malati Munda (2025–)

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|

## Cricket

[edit]

Cricket is a popular sport in Odisha and is immensely popular among the masses of the state. It houses the Barabati Stadium at Cuttack which the home ground of the state cricket teams. The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) is the administrating governing body for cricket in Odisha. In domestic cricket, the Odisha cricket team and Odisha women's cricket team competes at national levels.

### Internationals

[edit]

Men

* Debashish Mohanty (1997–2001)
* Sanjay Raul (1998)
* Shiv Sunder Das (2000–2002)
* Pragyan Ojha (2008–2013)
* Anshuman Rath (2014–, Hong Kong international)

Women

* Madhuri Mehta (2012–2014)
* Rasanara Parwin (2012–2013)
* Swagatika Rath (2013)
* Sukanya Parida (2016)

|

## Weightlifting

[edit]

Weightlifting is a popular sport in Odisha and is immensely popular in the Ganjam district, especially in the city of Brahmapur.[8] The Odisha Weightlifting Association (OWA) is the administrating governing body for weightlifting in Odisha.

## Volleyball

[edit]

Volleyball is a popular sport in Odisha and is popular in the coastal districts.[9] The Odisha Volleyball Association (OVA) is the administrating governing body for volleyball in Odisha.[10]

### Internationals

[edit]

Men

* Lotak Bindu Dash (1990)
* Mohammed Masiuz Zama (1990–1992)
* Rahul Barik (2023)

Women

* Jhililata Sena (2005–2009)

|

## Rugby

[edit]

Rugby is popular both in men and women categories in Odisha. The Odisha Rugby Football Association is the state's administrating body for rugby football in Odisha. The Odisha women's rugby union team and Odisha women's rugby sevens team have been dominating since the past decade having won nearly all competitions at national levels. On the other hand, Odisha rugby union team and Odisha rugby sevens team have also made odisha proud with their performance at national levels. Both men and women of Odisha have provided India some of its best players. Odisha will be hosting the Asia Rugby Women's Championship from 26 to 28 October 2018.[11]

## High Performance Centres

[edit]

The Government of Odisha, in collaboration with various entities, have launched a few High Performance Centres at Kalinga Stadium in order to provide high-class training, facilities and infrastructure to the young sportsmen of Odisha. The list of HPCs is as follows:

* Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance (ABTP)
* Dalmia Bharat Gopichand Badminton Academy
* JSW Swimming HPC
* Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) for Athletics, Hockey, and Weightlifting
* KJS Ahluwalia and Tenvic Sports HPC for Weightlifting
* Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre (ONTHHPC) [12]
* Odisha Aditya Birla and Gagan Narang Shooting HPC
* Reliance Foundation Odisha Athletics HPC
* SAI Regional Badminton Academy[13]
* AIFF High Performance Centre[14]

## Events

[edit]

Odisha have been hosting various sporting events in the recent years.

### Athletics

[edit]

Event  | Year  | Organiser

|
|

Asian Athletics Championships | 2017 | Athletics Federation of India

### Badminton

[edit]

Event  | Year  | Organiser

|
|

BWF World Tour | 2022 | Badminton Association of India

### Football

[edit]

Event  | Year  | Organiser  | Dates

|
|
|

Women's Gold Cup | 2019 | All India Football Federation
Football Association of Odisha | 9–15 February 2019
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup | 2022 | All India Football Federation
Football Association of Odisha | 11–30 October 2022

### Hockey

[edit]

Event  | Year  | Organiser

|
|

Men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup | 2021 | Hockey India
Hockey World Cup | 2018 | Hockey India
FIH Hockey World League | 2017 | Hockey India
Hockey Champions Trophy | 2014 | Hockey India

### Rugby

[edit]

Event  | Year  | Organiser  | Dates

|
|
|

Asia Rugby U18 Girls Rugby Sevens Championship  | 2018  | Rugby India
Odisha Rugby Football Association | 26–28 October 2018

### Table Tennis

[edit]

Event  | Year  | Organiser  | Dates

|
|
|

Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships | 2019  | Odisha State Table Tennis Association  | 17–22 July 2019

### Tennis

[edit]

Event  | Year  | Organiser  | Dates

|
|
|

India F1 Futures | 26 February 2018 – 4 March 2018  | Odisha Tennis Association

## Leagues

[edit]

### State

[edit]

Sport  | League  | Organiser

|
|

Cricket | Odisha Premier League | Odisha Cricket Association
Football | FAO League | Football Association of Odisha
Football | FAO Super Cup | Football Association of Odisha
Football | Odisha Women's League | Football Association of Odisha
Tennis | Odisha Tennis Premier League | Odisha Tennis Association

### National

[edit]

#### National Leagues Hosted by Odisha

[edit]

##### Football

[edit]

Indian Super League Match: Jamshedpur FC vc Bengaluru FC at Kalinga Stadium Event  | Year

|

I-League | 2018-19
Indian Super League | 2017–18
Indian Super Cup | 2019
2018

##### Hockey

[edit]

Event  | Year  | Organiser

|
|

Hockey India League | 2014
2015
2016
2017 | Hockey India

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Odisha: The sports capital of India". Hindustan Times. 12 February 2023.
2. ^ "Odisha could be India's sports capital in the making". Gulf News. 15 August 2023.
3. ^ "Odisha govt replace Sahara as Indian hockey team sponsors". 16 February 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
4. ^ "Bhubaneswar, not Delhi to host 2014 Men's Champions Trophy". The Times Of India. 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
5. ^ "Naval Tata Hockey Academy Inaugurated In Odisha Capital". Kalinga TV. 13 August 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
6. ^ "22nd AAC 2017 - Bhubaneswar". 18 April 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
7. ^ "22nd Asian Athletics Championship 2017". Asian Athletics Championship. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
8. ^ "Champion weightlifter in dire straits". The Hindu. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
9. ^ "FIVB Commits To Develop Grassroots Volleyball In Odisha With Bhubaneswar's KIIT & KISS". Odisha Bytes. 30 April 2025.
10. ^ "Volleyball to be made popular in every corner of Odisha". The Times of India. 21 November 2020.
11. ^ "Capital to host Asia U-18 rugby tourney". Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
12. ^ "Naval Tata Hockey Academy Inaugurated In Odisha Capital". Kalinga TV. 13 August 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
13. ^ Minati Singha (May 15, 2017). "Odisha-SAI Regional Badminton Academy inaugurated in Bhubaneswar | Bhubaneswar News – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
14. ^ "High Performance Centre deal a big boost for Odisha and AIFF | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-06-07.

## External links

[edit]

* Odisha Government Portal
* Sports & Youth Services (Government of Odisha)
* Odisha Naval Tata Hockey HPC official website

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Sport in India

| Summer sports|

| Olympic sports|

* Archery
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* Athletics
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* Table tennis
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* Water polo
* Weightlifting
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|

Others|

* Air sports
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* Cue sports
* Darts
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* Teqball
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* Tug of war
* Waterskiing
* Ultimate flying disc
* Wushu

Winter sports|

* Bandy
* Curling
* Ice hockey
* Ice skating
* Icestock
* Skiing
* Sledding

In international
competitions|

| Multi-sport event|

* Olympics
* Paralympics
* Asian Games
* Commonwealth Games
* Lusophony Games
* World Games

|

World championships|

* Cricket World Cup
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By year|

* 2010
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By states and union territories

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State of Odisha

Capital: Bhubaneswar

State symbols|

* Emblem: Emblem of Odisha
* Anthem: Bande Utkala Janani
* Animal: Sambar
* Bird: Indian roller
* Flower: Ashoka
* Tree: Sacred fig
* Fish: Mahanadi mahseer

Governance|

* Governors
* Chief ministers
* Legislative Assembly
* Constituencies
* High Court
* Police
* Elections
* Politics
* Human Rights Commission

History|

* Kalinga
* Rulers
* Mahameghavahana dynasty
* Murunda dynasty
* Nala dynasty
* Mathara dynasty
* Pitrbhakta dynasty
* Shailodbhava dynasty
* Bhauma-Kara dynasty
* Bhanja dynasty
* Somavamshi dynasty
* Eastern Ganga dynasty
* Gajapati Empire
* Bhoi dynasty
* Orissa Tributary States
* Utkal Sammilani
* Historic sites
* Maritime history of Odisha

Geography|

* Flora and Fauna
* Forests
* Utkal Plains
* Garhjat Hills
* Chilika Lake
* Deomali (Highest point)
* Abdul Kalam Island

Districts

division|

| Northern|

* Angul
* Balangir
* Bargarh
* Debagarh
* Dhenkanal
* Jharsuguda
* Kendujhar
* Sambalpur
* Subarnapur
* Sundergarh

|

Central|

* Balasore
* Bhadrak
* Cuttack
* Jagatsinghpur
* Jajpur
* Kendrapara
* Khordha
* Mayurbhanj
* Nayagarh
* Puri

Southern|

* Boudh
* Gajapati
* Ganjam
* Kalahandi
* Kandhamal
* Koraput
* Malkangiri
* Nabrangpur
* Nuapada
* Rayagada

Cities|

* Angul
* Balangir
* Balasore
* Barbil
* Bargarh
* Baripada
* Bhadrak
* Bhawanipatna
* Bhubaneswar
* Berhampur
* Cuttack
* Dhenkanal
* Jajpur
* Jharsuguda
* Jeypore
* Joda
* Kendrapara
* Kendujhar
* Khordha
* Paradeep
* Puri
* Rourkela
* Sambalpur
* Talcher

GI products|

* Berhampur Patta
* Bomkai sari
* Dhalapathar Parda & Fabrics
* Ganjam Kewda Flower
* Ganjam Kewda Rooh
* Gopalpur Tussar Fabrics
* Habaspuri sari
* Khandua
* Konark stone carving
* Kotpad Handloom fabrics
* Odisha Ikat
* Pattachitra
* Pipili appliqué work
* Odisha Rasagola
* Sambalpuri sari

Topics|

* Arts
* Cinema
* Cuisine
* Culture
* Day
* Economy
* Education
* Festivals
* Language
* Act
* Script
* Literature
* Grammar
* People
* Tribes
* Sports
* Tourism

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