Bhubaneswar: The state capital emerged as the country's sporting hub in 2017, having hosted a number of national and international events and witnessing a spurt sporting activities this year.
The 22nd Asian Athletics Championships in July was the biggest sporting extravaganza in the city's history with more than 700 athletes taking part. Kalinga Stadium was transformed with world-class infrastructure, according to the requirements of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
"Bhubaneswar has emerged as a sought-after destination for international competitions. The championships exposed our youths to world champions in action," said sports minister Chandra Sarathi Behera.
The stadium also hosted the Men's Hockey World League Final in December as India, with three Odia players in the squad, finished third following a 2-1 win over Germany in the play-off match.
On the home front, the Kalinga Lancers won their first Hockey India League title with a 4-1 drubbing of Dabang Mumbai in Chandigarh in February. The Lancers players their home matches in Bhubaneswar and boasted of four players from the state.
All eyes will now be on the Men's Hockey World Cup, scheduled for November, and Behera said the city's infrastructure would be accordingly upgraded.
"We will build roads, footpaths, cycling tracks and take up a beautification drive. Transportation will also be upgraded," said sports secretary Vishal Dev.
The government has grand plans for the Kalinga International Sports City to organise mega events and will engage an international agency to finalise the project report.
It recently signed an expression of intent with the IAAF and the Athletics Federation of India for a high-performance centre at Kalinga Stadium for training and infrastructure support to Indian track and field athletes.
A number of sportspersons such as para-athlete Jayanti Behera, who bagged gold for India in the World Junior Para Athletics Championships and Asian Youth Para Games, and boxing coach Braja Bhushan Mohanty, who received the Dronacharya Award, also brought laurels to Odisha.
