Events

A four-day programme to identify and select budding sports talents from across schools in the block and municipal areas of Sundargarh district, which began on May 25, concluded on May 28. The programme was a part of the ‘Sports Talent Search’ initiative by the Sports and Youth Affairs department of the Govt of Odisha to identify hidden sports talents from school students and encourage them to grow through adequate training. By encouraging sports, the initiative will be of special help in churning out more number of sports stars from Sundargarh district, known as the Hockey Hub of the country, in future. “Along with the development of sports infrastructure, the state government is giving enough opportunity for the development of the hidden talents amongst school students through programmes like the ‘Sports Talent Search’. School students in Sundargarh district are seen to be enthused by the programme. They participated in the programme with gusto. The programme will bring about significant success for the state in the field of sports in the coming days,” said Sundargarh District Sports Officer (I/C) Prashant Tarai. The process of identification talents under the ‘Sports Talents Search’ programme was conducted by setting up centres at all 17 blocks as well as the Rourkela and Biramitrapur municipal areas. At these centres, the documents of the participating boys and girls were first scrutinised which was followed by the measurement of their height and weight. Subsequently, they underwent 30 metre run and Standing Broad jump tests. Those who qualified at the block and municipality levels will get an opportunity to participate in the district level ‘Sports Talents Search’ programme. Similarly, those clearing the district-level programme will get a chance to participate in the state-level competitions. The successful candidates at state level will be accommodated in the State Sports Hostel and given training in 12 sports disciplines like archery, athletics, cycling, basketball, football, gymnastics, hockey, judo, kabaddi, kho kho, volleyball and wrestling. This will give an opportunity to the students to shape themselves up as good sportspersons in future. The four-day long ‘Sports Talent Search’ programme in Sundargarh district was organis ed under the direct supervision of the District Sports Officer (I/C). Instructors from sports hostels in Sundargarh and Panposh monitored the programme by conducting regular visits to the blocks. Sports teachers from schools in various blocks conducted the screening process.