Bhubaneswar, April 20:The Odisha government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has inaugurated Khelo India Centers in every district of the state.
This initiative, driven under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is aimed at nurturing young talent and developing world-class sporting facilities across Odisha.
The newly launched centers will cater to a variety of sports, including football, volleyball, hockey, athletics, kho-kho, kabaddi, and more. Each center is equipped with essential amenities to support athlete training and development. To ensure smooth functioning and sustainability, the government will provide an annual grant of Rs. 5 lakh to each center.
Speaking at the inauguration, Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said, “Khelo India Centers have been set up in every district of Odisha. It’s a momentous day for grassroots sports. Coinciding with this, the Kalinga Super Cup, one of India’s top football tournaments, begins today at the iconic Kalinga Stadium.”
The fifth edition of the Kalinga Super Cup kicks off this Sunday in Bhubaneswar, promising a footballing spectacle for fans. Since its inception in 2018, the tournament has evolved into the country’s premier domestic knockout football competition, with this year's edition holding even greater stakes — a direct berth in the AFC Champions League 2 Preliminary Round is up for grabs.
Historically, Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have dominated the tournament. Teams like Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Odisha FC, and East Bengal FC have clinched the title, with Bengaluru FC, East Bengal FC, and Odisha FC — also known as the Kalinga Warriors — making multiple final appearances.
