September 6th 2024.
Odisha, a state known for its vibrant cultural heritage, has also established itself as a formidable presence in the world of sports. With a strong commitment towards nurturing talent and promoting sportsmanship, Odisha has made its mark in various disciplines. From the legendary fields of hockey to the strategic battleground of chess and the competitive courts of badminton, this state has produced some of India's most promising athletes. In this article, we will showcase Odisha's contributions to these sports, highlighting their achievements and ongoing efforts that have solidified their position in India's sporting landscape.
Field Hockey has been a popular team sport in India for many years. While its modern origins can be traced back to England, there is evidence that suggests forms of hockey were played in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and Ethiopia. It was in the 19th century that field hockey started to take shape in England. Initially played on fields, the game later transitioned to AstroTurf- an artificial grass surface. In 1876, the Hockey Association was formed in England, creating standardized rules for the game. This led to a surge in popularity, with the formation of clubs and competitions.
One of the most well-known districts in Odisha, Sundargarh, has been a breeding ground for talented hockey players. Legends like Dilip Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey, Amit Rohidas, Jyoti Sunita Kullu, Subhadra Pradhan, Sunita Lakra, and Birendra Lakra hail from this district. Odisha has played a pivotal role in reviving Indian hockey in recent years. In fact, the state is currently the sponsor of the Indian men's and women's hockey teams. In 2018, Odisha signed a 5-year deal with Hockey India, making them the official sponsor of both teams. This sponsorship was recently extended until 2036, showcasing Odisha's unwavering commitment to the sport. The state has also hosted several international tournaments, including the Men's Hockey World Cup in 2018 and the upcoming 2023 edition. With two world-class hockey stadiums in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar, Odisha has firmly established itself as a hub for hockey in India. In fact, some of the current members of the Indian hockey teams are from Odisha, including Amit Rohidas and Dilip Tirkey, who has also been appointed as the President of Hockey India.
Chess, the ultimate game of intellect and strategy, has a rich history in India. It is believed to have originated in North India during the Gupta Empire in the 4th century. Initially known as 'Chaturanga', the game gained popularity and spread through trade routes to Persia, where it was renamed 'Shatranj'. According to historical accounts, an Indian ambassador gifted a Chaturanga board to the Persian king Khosrow I, which eventually led to its popularity in the Arab world and Europe. India has produced numerous grandmasters, with Viswanathan Anand being the most renowned. As of May 2023, India has a total of 82 Grandmasters, 124 International Masters, 23 Woman Grandmasters, and 42 Woman International Masters.
Odisha's first Grandmaster was Debashis Das, followed by Swayams Mishra, who became the state's second Grandmaster. Other notable players from Odisha include Shekhar Chandra Sahu, Swayangsu Satyapragyan, Anwesh Upadhyaya, Sidhant Mohapatra, Rakesh Kumar Jena, Padmini Rout, Sambit Panda, Kiran Manisha Mohanty, and Saina Salonika, who has earned the title of Woman International Master. The KIIT University campus in Odisha has also played a significant role in promoting the game through its international chess festivals.
Badminton, another popular sport in the world, has its roots in India. It was named after the Badminton House, the residence of the Duke of Beaufort, who is credited with introducing the game to Britain from the Indian city of Pune. As the game gained popularity in Britain, the Bath Badminton Club was established in 1877. The world's oldest badminton tournament, the All England Open Badminton Championship, started in 1899. The game is played in three sets, with the first player or team to reach 21 points declared the winner. In 1972, badminton was included in the Munich Olympics as a demonstration sport and was officially added to the Olympic Games in 1992 at the Barcelona Games. Since then, it has been a regular event, with the addition of mixed doubles in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Odisha's Sanat Mishra won a bronze medal in the team event at the South Asian Games in 1986, further cementing the state's presence in the badminton arena.
In conclusion, Odisha's passion for sports and dedication towards nurturing talent has led to its emergence as a significant player in India's sporting landscape. From producing top athletes to hosting international tournaments and promoting the growth of various sports, this state has truly made its mark in the world of sports. With its continued efforts and support, Odisha is sure to keep making waves in the sports arena for years to come.
The beautiful state of Odisha, renowned for its vibrant culture and rich heritage, is also making a name for itself in the world of sports. With a strong commitment to nurturing talent and promoting sportsmanship, the state has emerged as a significant player in various disciplines. From the iconic field hockey grounds to the strategic game of chess, and the fast-paced courts of badminton, Odisha is home to some of India's most promising athletes. In this article, we will take a closer look at the state's contributions to these sports, highlighting their achievements and ongoing efforts in positioning themselves as a powerhouse in India's sporting landscape.
Field hockey has long been a popular team sport in India, with modern origins often traced back to England. However, historical evidence suggests that variations of the game were played in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Ethiopia. The modern version of field hockey began to take shape in England during the 19th century, with the establishment of standardized rules by the Hockey Association in 1876. The game quickly gained popularity, leading to the formation of clubs and competitions.
When it comes to Indian hockey, Odisha has played a pivotal role in its resurgence in recent years. The Sundargarh district, in particular, has produced numerous talented players such as Dilip Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey, Amit Rohidas, Jyoti Sunita Kullu, Subhadra Pradhan, Sunita Lakra, and Birendra Lakra, among others. Moreover, the state has also made significant contributions to the development of Indian hockey, becoming the official sponsor of both the men's and women's national teams in 2018. This sponsorship was recently extended until 2036, showcasing Odisha's unwavering commitment to the sport.
Odisha has also hosted several international hockey tournaments, including the Men's Hockey World Cup in 2018 and the upcoming 2023 edition. The state boasts two world-class hockey stadiums, including the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, one of the largest in the world, and the impressive hockey complex at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Additionally, some of the current players in the Indian hockey teams, such as Amit Rohidas and Dilip Tirkey, hail from Odisha. In fact, Dilip Tirkey has been appointed as the President of Hockey India, further solidifying the state's influence in the sport.
Moving on to the intellectually stimulating game of chess, there are various stories surrounding its origin. However, it is believed that chess originated in North India during the Gupta Empire between 319-543 AD, under the name 'Chaturanga'. The game then spread through trade routes and gained popularity in Persia, where it was renamed 'Shatranj'. According to historical accounts, an Indian ambassador gifted a Chaturanga board to the Persian king Khosrow I, marking the beginning of the game's journey to Europe.
India has a long-standing tradition in chess, with numerous grandmasters emerging from the country. The legendary Viswanathan Anand is one of the most well-known names, but as of May 2023, India has produced a total of 82 Grandmasters, 124 International Masters, 23 Woman Grandmasters, and 42 Woman International Masters. Odisha's first Grandmaster was Debashis Das, followed by Swayams Mishra, who became the state's second Grandmaster. Other successful players from the state include Shekhar Chandra Sahu, Swayangsu Satyapragyan, Anwesh Upadhyaya, Sidhant Mohapatra, Rakesh Kumar Jena, Padmini Rout, Sambit Panda, Kiran Manisha Mohanty, and Saina Salonika, who holds the title of Woman International Master.
The KIIT University campus in Odisha has been the venue for several international chess festivals, contributing to the growth and promotion of the game in the region.
Lastly, we come to badminton, another popular sport in the world. Named after the Badminton House, the residence of the Duke of Beaufort, the sport has its roots in India. The Duke of Beaufort is credited with introducing the game to Britain from the Indian city of Pune. As the game gained popularity in Britain, the Bath Badminton Club was established in 1877, and the world's oldest badminton tournament, the All England Open Badminton Championships, began in 1899.
In badminton, players compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories, with the first player or team to reach 21 points declared the winner. If the score is tied, a tiebreaker is played, with the winner determined by a single sudden-death point. Badminton was first included in the 1972 Munich Olympics as a demonstration sport, but it wasn't until 1992 at the Barcelona Games that it became an official Olympic event, with men's and women's singles and doubles categories. The mixed doubles event was added in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and has remained a regular event in all subsequent games.
In 1986, Odisha's own Sanat Mishra won a bronze medal in the team event at the South Asian Games, showcasing the state's potential in badminton.
In conclusion, Odisha's contributions to sports, particularly in the fields of field hockey, chess, and badminton, are undeniable. With its rich heritage and commitment to nurturing talent, the state has emerged as a significant player in India's sporting landscape, and it will continue to make waves in the future.
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