Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has said that he would take up the issue of according the national game status to hockey with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What do you have to say?

Our chief minister has taken a good initiative. Hockey has given a lot to the nation. India has been Olympic champion in the game eight times and once the world champion. The country has produced a number of world-class hockey players such as Dhyanchand, Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and so on. For long, we have been hearing that hockey is our national game. But, this is not the fact. It is yet to be declared as a national game. When we are organising the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup in Bhubaneswar, according the game this status will send out a positive message. It will boost the game itself. The Prime Minister should think about it.

The World Cup Hockey is going to be held in Bhubaneswar in November. Only five months are left for the mega event. Can you give us an idea of what the preparation is like?

We are almost ready to host the event. We have in the past organised a number of events, including the Asian Athletics championships and the World Hockey League. For the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup, we are also creating new infrastructure including expansion of the gallery of Kalinga Stadium. We had created the necessary infrastructure within 90 days for the Asian Athletics championships. All these works are going on under the direct supervision of the chief minister. Not only me, all of us are confident that the world cup will be a success. 

How do you rate Bhubaneswar as a sports city?

The city has already emerged as the number one smart city. It is now emerging as a sports city as we have organised a number of mega events in the field of athletics and hockey. It is also going to organise Asian Rugby championship and football matches. The state government has also inked an MoU with the the Gopichand Academy for the promotion of badminton. The people of the city have extended their support to each and every kind of sports event that the Kalinga Stadium hosts. The chief minister has stood solidly behind the authorities to ensure that everything passes off smoothly. Keeping all this in mind, one can comfortably say that the city would be become one of the major sports cities of the world.

You have visited a number of cities across the world as a hockey player. How do you see Bhubaneswar compared to other cities?

Each city has its advantages and disadvantages. But people will have their strong likes and dislikes for their cities. I have a strong love for Bhubaneswar. On the other hand, many cities had undertaken various activities prior to we started our work.  Now, we have taken a number of steps for the infrastructure development of Bhubaneswar.

Don’t you think the claim than 20,000 foreigners will turn up to witness the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup is an  exaggeration?

Whenever any world cup is organised - be it football, cricket or hockey - sports lovers from other countries come to enjoy it and encourage the players. Besides, Bhubaneswar is emerging as a sports loving city. Given this, I am hopeful that a large number of tourists will come to Bhubaneswar.

Many sports personalities, including cricketer Chetan Chauhan, after joining the politics became ministers. Do you have such ambitions? 

Every one has ambitions in life. I, too, want to serve people in a better way. It’s because of the chief minister’s blessings that I stepped into politics and later became a Rajya Sabha member. Over the years, I have also learnt many things from him. So, it depends on how your leader wants to utilise you.

In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, you had lost to the BJP leader and Union cabinet minister Jual Oram. Why did you lose?

The last poll was my first election, and it was a tough challenge for me given my immaturity in politics. Two stalwarts - Jual Oram and former chief minister Hemananda Biswal - were pitted against me.  I did my best but lost. Now, I am a part of the BJD team, which is working in Sundergarh round the clock. Things will be different this time.

Do you prefer to contest Assembly or Lok Sabha election?

I have come from the sports background and learnt many things over the years. Our chief minister had sent me to the Rajya Sabha, where I learnt many things. Now, he has appointed me as the chairman of the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, and I continue to learn there as well. It depends on the chief minister where he wants to see me. From the childhood, I have been a disciplined man. Being a disciplined soldier, I will obey my leader's directions. I have complete faith in my leader.

You were known as a good defender in Indian Hockey. Now you are in a different field. Are you confident of defending yourself against the attacks of your political opponents?

I started playing hockey when I was seven years old. Now, I am five years old in politics. But, I am confident of defending myself against all attacks.

The BJP is focusing all its energy in west Odisha as Jual Oram hails from your district. Don’t you think it will be tough for the BJD to fight the BJP there?

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik is focusing more on west Odisha and has announced a number of measures for the development of the region. No one can challenge him. The BJP is no match to Naveen. Just wait and see.

The number of Odias representing India in hockey team has come down over the years. Why so?

It’s a matter of concern. We — four to five persons from Odisha — used to represent the India in hockey. With each passing day, the standard of sports is rising. The skills are improving, and there is need for vigorous training. We need to be prepared. On my part, I have started a rural hockey tournament in my district to spot the young talents. But as it's not possible to organise it on a yearly basis, we are organising it in at a gap of two to three years.

Being the OTDC chairman, how do you plan to promote tourism in the state?

I want to leave my mark here. I have a number of plans, including promotion of water sports, tribal tourism and other things.