Odisha CM Majhi: Sports build discipline, resilience; ₹5,000 crore infra push planned
Synopsis
Odisha is betting big on sport — not just as a host, but as a factory of champions. With over ₹5,000 crore committed to block-level stadiums and a new sports complex, CM Majhi's Chintan Shibir blueprint targets Odia athletes on the global podium by 2036, with the World Athletics and Asian Indoor Athletics Championships already locked in for 2028.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Charan Majhi addressed the valedictory of the first-ever Chintan Shibir on sports in Odisha on 7 June 2025 in Bhubaneswar .
Odisha will host both the World Athletics Championships and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028 .
A multi-purpose sports complex at Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar is planned with an investment of nearly ₹1,000 crore .
Block-level multi-purpose stadiums are being built across the state at a cost of more than ₹4,000 crore .
Rural talent is being identified and trained through the Chief Minister's Trophy programme.
Majhi set a vision of Samruddha Odisha by 2036 and Viksit Bharat by 2047 with sports as a key pillar.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday, 7 June declared that sports transcend medals and scoreboards — their deeper value lies in forging discipline, teamwork, and the resilience needed to navigate life's adversities. He was speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day 'Chintan Shibir' organised by the Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department in Bhubaneswar.
A First-of-Its-Kind Sports Conclave
The Chintan Shibir — held for the first time in Odisha — brought together sports experts from national and international levels, administrators, and athletes to collectively chart a roadmap for the state's sporting future. Chief Minister Majhi described the conclave as a foundational step toward building a comprehensive policy framework for sports development in the state.
Odisha's Growing Global Sports Calendar
Majhi highlighted that Odisha has steadily earned global recognition as a host of premier sporting events. He informed attendees that the World Athletics and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships are both scheduled to be hosted in Odisha in 2028. On the road to that milestone, the state is already stepping up: having successfully hosted the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event last year, Odisha will host the Silver-level edition of the same competition this year.
₹5,000 Crore Infrastructure Investment
The Chief Minister outlined a substantial financial commitment to sports infrastructure. A multi-purpose sports complex is being established at Gothapatna in Bhubaneswar at an investment of nearly ₹1,000 crore. At the grassroots level, the state government is constructing state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadiums at the block level across Odisha, backed by an investment of more than ₹4,000 crore. Together, these commitments represent a combined sports infrastructure outlay exceeding ₹5,000 crore.
Nurturing Grassroots Talent
Majhi stressed that youth development and sports development are inseparable. Emerging talent from rural Odisha is being identified through the Chief Minister's Trophy programme, with selected athletes receiving advanced training. He also underscored the importance of a supportive ecosystem, encapsulated in his phrase: 'Happy Coaches, Happy Athletes and Happy Achievers'.
Vision: Odia Athletes on the World Stage by 2036–2047
'The sports sector will play a major role in achieving the goals of a Samruddha Odisha by 2036 and a Viksit Bharat by 2047,' Majhi said. He projected that in the coming years, Odisha will be recognised not only as a world-class host of sporting events but as a state that regularly produces athletes competing among global champions. The conclave's outcomes are expected to feed directly into the state's long-term sports policy.
Point of View
000 crore block-level stadium programme is structurally significant: if executed, it would be one of the largest grassroots sports infrastructure rollouts by any Indian state. The real test, however, is whether the Chief Minister's Trophy pipeline translates identified rural talent into funded, coached, and competition-ready athletes — or remains a discovery exercise without a follow-through system. Hosting the World Athletics and Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028 raises the stakes considerably; the state's reputation as a sporting destination will be on the line, and the gap between world-class event infrastructure and athlete-development outcomes will be hard to hide.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chintan Shibir organised by Odisha's Sports Department?
The Chintan Shibir is a two-day sports policy conclave organised by the Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department, held for the first time in the state. It brought together national and international sports experts, administrators, and athletes to develop a comprehensive roadmap for sports growth in Odisha.
Which major international events is Odisha set to host in 2028?
Odisha is scheduled to host both the World Athletics Championships and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028. The state has been progressively building its credentials, having hosted the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event last year and the Silver-level edition this year.
How much is Odisha investing in sports infrastructure?
The state is investing nearly ₹1,000 crore in a multi-purpose sports complex at Gothapatna in Bhubaneswar, and more than ₹4,000 crore in block-level multi-purpose stadiums across Odisha, amounting to a combined outlay exceeding ₹5,000 crore.
What is the Chief Minister's Trophy programme?
The Chief Minister's Trophy is a talent identification programme that scouts emerging athletes from rural Odisha and provides them with advanced training. It is a key component of the state government's grassroots sports development strategy.
What is CM Majhi's long-term vision for sports in Odisha?
CM Majhi envisions Odisha producing world-class athletes as a regular feature, aligned with the goals of Samruddha Odisha by 2036 and Viksit Bharat by 2047. He stated that sports will be central to the state's broader development agenda.
