BHUBANESWAR: As many as 39 meritorious sportspersons, including 30 women, on Saturday joined the Odisha Police through the sports quota.
Earlier, ninety-six sportspersons were appointed to the state police force in six phases.
Joining an induction programme for these new entrants through video conference, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the state will continue to support the sportspersons in every possible way to help them fulfil their dreams.
Congratulating the personnel for joining the police service, he said, “It’s a big moment for you to join a job and share the responsibilities of your families.
I am sure your parents and families are proud of your achievement.
It requires a lot of passion, discipline and hard work to excel in sports.” Naveen reiterated the need to invest in sports saying investment in sports is investment in youth.
Investment in youth is investment in the future of this state.
“We have embarked on a journey to make Odisha a sports powerhouse.
In the last few years, the state has featured prominently in the sports sector in the country.
We have successfully hosted several national and international sports events.
The Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 and the Asian Athletics Championship 2017 were great successes for the state,” the chief minister said.
He further said the state is investing more than Rs 1,000 crore on developing the sports infrastructure and that his government is building India’s largest hockey stadium in Rourkela for the Hockey World Cup in 2023.