OD-CM-SPORTS FEST
- Country:
- India
Ahead of Men's Hockey World
Cup in Odisha, a star-studded sports literary meet began here
Friday with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik describing
the event as a "one-of-a-kind platform for exchanges between
authors, enthusiasts and players".
Inaugurating the 'Ekamra Sports Literary Festival'
here, the chief minister said the two-day event will develop a
sports culture and generate interest about popular games among
the youngsters.
Sports can be a "life-changing experience", it can
change one's outlook towards everything, Patnaik said.
"The games and their impact, the players and their
struggles, victories and rejoices, failures and
disappointments, and if possible, the story behind each story
- sports literature can truly captivate young minds," he said.
Stating that there will be a "lot of writing" on the
upcoming hockey event here, Patnaik said, "We welcome the
finest minds in the world of sports to write, discuss and
reveal their stories. This two-day fest will provide a unique
platform for literary exchanges between authors, sports
enthusiasts and players."
Since Odisha has been the "cradle of hockey" with many
top Indian players from the state "donning the national
colours", hosting the Men's Hockey World Cup will be an honour
for people here, he said.
"For several decades now, as a state, we wanted to
take our commitment towards the sport to another level by
putting a spectacular show, which would eventually see hockey
lovers from across the globe return home with alluring
memories from the event here," the CM added.
Patnaik also unveiled the covers of a ready reckoner
on Hockey World Cups over the years and sports magazine
'Hockey Bites'.
Describing the literary fest as a "new chapter" in the
history of the state, Odisha Sports and Youth Services
Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera said the event was being held
as a run-up to Men's Hockey World Cup, scheduled to begin on
November 28.
Organised by the Department of Sports and Youth
Services, in association with a sport management agency, the
high-powered conclave drew on the first day some of the
biggest sports stars, including international athletes,
players, coaches and sportswriters.
Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, former Australian
cricketer Jeff Thomson, Olympic Gold medalist swimmer
Stephanie Rice, and Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat were among
those who will share their stories and experiences at the
two-day fest.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)