For long celebrated as the land of art, culture, and temples, Odisha has now emerged as the sporting hub of India. Over the past decade, the state has invested heavily in infrastructure,pioneered a unique public-private model for athlete development, and consistently hosted international sporting events. This transformation—driven by the Odisha government’s sustained commitment—has reshaped the narrative of Indian sport and placed Bhubaneswar and Rourkela firmly on the global sporting map.
The latest milestone this October would be when Bhubaneswar hosts the 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis(Teams) Championships (ATTC) 2025 at the Kalinga Stadium from October 11 to 15.It will be the first time Odisha stages an Asian-level table tennis event,reaffirming its role as a host for diverse disciplines beyond its established successes in hockey and athletics. The honour follows its successful organisation of the 2019 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Cuttack.
Odisha’s journey as a sporting powerhouse began in 2017, when the state stepped in to host the Asian Athletics Championships within just 90 days after Ranchi pulled out. The seamless execution of that event at Kalinga Stadium earned nationwide acclaimand laid the foundation for what is now widely known as the “Odisha Model.”
At its core, this model rests on two pillars: world-class infrastructure and sustainable partnerships.The state has transformed the Kalinga Sports Complex and built the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela—the world’s largest fully seated hockey venue. Complementing these is the Indoor Athletics Centre at the Kalinga Stadium, South Asia’s largest indoor facility of its kind. With a 200-meter synthetic track, an 80m+20m running track, specialised zones for long jump,triple jump, pole vault, and shot-put, and a seating capacity of 1,700, the centre meets rigorous international standards and carries a coveted Category 1 certification from World Athletics. Such facilities ensure that Odisha not only stages major events but also nurtures athletes in an environment aligned with global benchmarks.
Alongside infrastructure,Odisha has established High-Performance Centres (HPCs) in collaboration with leading corporates and sporting icons. Reliance Foundation for athletics, theNaval Tata Hockey Academy, Abhinav Bindra’s sports science centre, Pullela Gopichand for badminton and similar facilities for shooting, swimming, and football, to name a few HPCs.
Odisha also took the unprecedented step of sponsoring India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams—a commitment now extended till 2033. This not only reinforced its status as the “home of Indian hockey” but also showcased its ambition to be a driving force in Indian sport.
The scale of investment is unmatched. In 2024–25, the state allocated ₹1,315 crore to sports and youth services—among the highest in the country. The rationale is loud and clear: sports are both a matter of state pride and a tool for youth empowerment. Hosting marquee tournaments has brought Odisha global visibility,while grassroots programmes have created opportunities for young athletes.
Every international event has left a legacy. The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup upgraded training facilities in Bhubaneswar. Multiple hockey World Cups brought umpiring and coaching courses certified by the FIH. At the grassroots, Sundargarh—the cradle of Indian hockey—now boasts 17 synthetic turfs, strengthening the pipeline that continues to produce stars like Amit Rohidas. Similarly, athletes from the Reliance Foundation HPC in Odisha have consistently returned medals at the Khelo India University Games and other national competitions.
The impact is visible. Odisha is no longer just a stage for sports—it is shaping athletes, creating infrastructure, and driving India’s sporting ambitions. As Bhubaneswar prepares to welcome Asia’s finest paddlers for the ATTC 2025, the state once again signals that its sporting story is far from complete—it is only gaining momentum.
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