“Sports Celebrate Discipline and Determination, Not Just Skill”: Odisha Governor on National Sports Day

Bhubaneswar, Aug 29 – Paying tribute to hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary, Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Thursday said that sports are not merely contests of skill or strength but a celebration of discipline, determination, and inclusivity.

Speaking at the National Sports Day celebration in Bhubaneswar, the Governor underlined that a society embracing sports nurtures healthier citizens, builds stronger communities, and fosters unity. “Sports serve as a true equalizer, breaking barriers of caste, creed, and gender, and uniting everyone under the shared spirit of excellence,” he said.

Dr. Kambhampati emphasized that sports go beyond stadiums and playgrounds, shaping everyday life by instilling perseverance, teamwork, time management, and resilience — values that hold equal importance in classrooms, workplaces, and beyond.

Congratulating the winners of the Biju Patnaik Sports Awards, the Governor hailed them as “torchbearers of Odisha’s sporting spirit,” while lauding the Biju Patnaik Bravery Award recipients for their courage and service.

Highlighting Odisha’s rich sporting tradition, he said the state has consistently produced champions in hockey, athletics, swimming, and cricket, and has recently emerged as a major sporting hub by hosting global events including the FIH Hockey Pro League, Kalinga Super Cup, International Badminton Tournament, and the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze.

He credited this progress to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Odisha Government’s proactive steps, including a historic allocation of over ₹4,000 crore for sports infrastructure across all 314 blocks of the state.

On the occasion, Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said several initiatives are being rolled out to strengthen grassroots sports in Odisha and urged the youth to “transform possibilities into success.”