OD-CM-SPORTS FEST


PTI | Bhubaneswar | Updated: 02-11-2018 15:46 IST | Created: 02-11-2018 15:46 IST
  • 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.)

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