BHUBANESWAR: The two-day tribal sports meet inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik here on Monday through video conferencing concluded at the block level today. The chief minister had also launched the logo and mascot of the sports meet Olly with a bow and arrow.
The first ever such initiative in the country, the focus would be on 119 tribal sub-plan blocks though athletes for the sports events will be selected from all the 314 blocks of the state. Sports events will be held in three categories, sub-junior, junior and senior categories in block, district and state levels.
Athletics (100m, 400m, 1500m, high jump, long jump and javelin throw), archery, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho and volleyball competitions were held as part of the event to develop sports among the tribals of the state. Persons below 35 years of age can take part in these competitions.
Eligible athletes and teams from the block level competitions will take part in the district level competitions to be held in January 2018. The state-level sports meet will be held in February 2018 where athletes and teams selected from the district level competitions will participate. It is expected that about 5500 athletes will take part in the state level tribal sports meet. A provision of `1.13 crore prize money has been made to encourage winning athletes and teams. Successful teams and athletes in district and state levels will be awarded.
Launching the sports meet, the chief minister said the meet will help in developing sports talent among the tribal youths so that they can bring laurels for Odisha in national and international sports events. Women and child development minister Prafulla Samal, minister of state for SC and ST development, minister of state for sports and youth affairs Chandrasarath Behera, chief secretary AP Padhi, development commissioner R Balakrishnan, secretary in sports and youth affairs department Vishal Kumar Dev, director, sports R Vineel Krishna and senior officials were present.