Bhubaneswar: The state government has planned to set up two sports museums - one here and another in Rourkela.
The museum in Bhubaneswar will showcase state's achievement in hosting the 22nd Asian Athletics Championship held at Kalinga Stadium between July 5 and July 9.
The Rourkela museum will showcase the history and growth of hockey in the state.
The department has already floated an expression of interest and has asked agencies to come up with concepts for both the museums.
"The interested agencies need to come up with their ideas by the end of November. This will be the state's first sports museum," said undersecretary of the sports department V.B. Mishra.
India clinched a total of 29 medals (12 gold, 5 silver and 12 bronze) at the championship, which was also their most successful campaign in the event. More than 550 athletes from 41 countries took part in the event.
Bhubaneswar was the third venue to host the event in the country after Delhi (1989) and Pune (2013).
"Though the final concept will be decided after going through the presentations of interested agencies, we have planned to display articles used by winners and record-breakers in the museums. Besides, videos and photographs will also be on display. The memorabilia will act as an educational hub and provide the opportunity for sports lovers to recall the memories of the event," said Mishra.
He said the museum was likely to come up at the Kalinga Sports Complex, where the Asian Games were held earlier this year.
Hockey has been chosen as the theme of the museum in Rourkela as Sundargarh is considered the cradle of the game.
The district has produced a number of players who have represented the country, including former India captain Dilip Tirkey.
"We are planning to display hockey sticks and other sports materials used by former Indian players. Besides, visitors can also go through the history of the game in the state," said a sports department official.
Bhubaneswar successfully hosted the eight-nation Champions Trophy in 2014 and will host the Men's Hockey World League final in December this year and the Men's Hockey World Cup in November 2018.
