Bhubaneswar: The recent announcement from the Department of Higher Education of Odisha has raised a major concern among the athletes of the State. The department letter stated that the private Universities students cannot take part in the upcoming Odisha State Inter-University Sports Competition.
Mousumi Nayak Joint Secretary to Government in an official communication to the Register of Sambalpur University expressed “Private Universities shall not be allowed to participate in the Odisha Inter-Universities Competition season 2024-25. Also, advice to include the events Triple Jump, Hammer Throw and Long run (5,000 and 10,000 metre race) in the competition”.
"As a student of a private university myself, I have been able to win several medals at both the national and International tournaments. This decision threatens to overlook the incredible talent of athletes studying in private institutions, denying them the chance to showcase their skills and compete at a prestigious tournament", said sprinter Amiya Kumar Mallick.
"In this regard, I had requested the Minister Suryabanshi Suraj to take up the issue with the Government of Odisha and the Department of Higher Education to reconsider this decision and ensure that students from private universities continue to have the golden opportunity to participate in the Odisha Inter-University Sports Competition", added Amiya.
Olympian Dutee Chand and the first Indian to win gold in a 100m event at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples, raised her voice about the decision of the Higher Education Department of Odisha. “It is a shame that just because a student is studying in a private university, they are denied the opportunity to participate in sports. This decision will crush the dreams of many talented sportspersons,” Dutee Chand said in her social media account.
