Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Ekamra Sports Literary Festival 2018, Asia’s first international sports literary meet, at Mayfair Convention Centre here on Friday.
The two-day literary event is organised by the Sports Department of Odisha government and ‘Emerging Sports’.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “Eminent sports persons, coaches and sports writers from across the globe are here to support the cause of sports. Your presence has created much needed euphoria for the upcoming Men’s Hockey World Cup. I welcome you to all of you to Odisha,”
Patnaik said that for several decades now, Odisha has been the cradle of hockey with many of the top Indian players from the state donning the national colours. “And this time the state is committed to putting up a spectacular show, which would eventually see hockey lovers from across the globe return back home with alluring memories from the event here,” he added.
Hockey legends like Ric Charlesworth, V. Baskaran, Dhanraj Pillay and Dilip Tirkey Athlete Ben Johnson, cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Bajrang Punia, swimmer Stephanie Rice, Mohammad Kaif were present on the occasion
Kalinga AI