Odisha Collaborates with Tata Steel to Establish High-Performance Centers: Signs MoU for Development

In a significant move towards promoting Olympic sports, the Odisha Sports & Youth Services Department and Tata Steel formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday. The agreement aims to establish two High-Performance Centers (HPCs) dedicated to Archery and Sport Climbing.

The MoU, signed in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, solidifies the partnership between the state government and Tata Steel. Under the agreement, the collaborative effort will lead to the creation of the 'Odisha Tata Archery Academy' and the 'Odisha Tata Steel Adventure Foundation Sport Climbing Academy' in Bhubaneswar. These centers are poised to play a pivotal role in the development and training of athletes specializing in archery and sport climbing.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the collaboration, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik highlighted the successful partnership between the state and Tata Steel in the realm of hockey. He expressed optimism about the potential for archery and sport climbing in Odisha, emphasizing the significance of creating a conducive environment for athletes in these disciplines.

The Chief Minister underscored the rich cultural heritage of archery in India, labeling it as an ancient traditional game. He noted the abundance of talent among tribal children and expressed hope that the newly established High-Performance Centers would unearth and nurture future champions.

As part of the initiative, Regional Development Centres for archery will also be established across the state. These HPCs, led by experts, will identify exceptional talents through grassroots programs and provide them with top-notch infrastructure and training facilities to compete at national and international levels.

The academies will feature players scouted from state sports hostels, state-level, and national-level programs. Athletes will have access to premier sports facilities, including a gymnasium, swimming pool, and India's largest sports science center at the Kalinga Stadium.

Representatives from both sides played key roles in finalizing the MoU. Secretary Vineel Krishna represented the Sports & Youth Services Department, while Tata Steel was represented by Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services Tata Steel Ltd., and Chairman Tata Steel Adventure Foundation. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in nurturing and developing the next generation of athletes in archery and sport climbing.

ET