Sports are not merely contests of skill but a celebration of discipline and determination”: Odisha Guv

Bhubaneswar, Aug 29 (UNI) Paying tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary, Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati said that his legacy reminds us that sports are not just contests of strength or skill, but a celebration of discipline and determination.

Speaking at the National Sports Day celebration held here today, the Governor said that a society embracing sports nurtures healthier citizens, fosters inclusivity, and builds stronger communities.
He emphasised that sports are not confined to stadiums and playgrounds but form an essential part of daily life. “Sports serve as a true equaliser, breaking barriers of caste, creed, and gender, and uniting everyone under the shared spirit of excellence,” he said.

The Governor further added, “They instil perseverance, teamwork, time management, and resilience — qualities equally valuable in classrooms, workplaces, and every walk of life.”
Congratulating the winners of the Biju Patnaik Sports Awards, he described them as the torchbearers of Odisha’s sporting spirit, while also lauding the Biju Patnaik Bravery Award recipients for their courage and selfless service.
Highlighting Odisha’s sporting tradition, Dr. Kambhampati said the state has consistently produced champions in hockey, athletics, swimming, and cricket.

In recent years, Odisha has emerged as a major sporting hub by hosting prestigious events such as the FIH Hockey Pro League, Kalinga Super Cup Football, International Badminton Tournament, and the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze.
He credited this transformation to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the proactive steps of the Odisha Government, including a historic allocation of over Rs 4,000 crore for sports infrastructure across all 314 blocks of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Sports & Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said several initiatives are underway to strengthen sports at the grassroots level and urged people to transform possibilities into success.