For centuries, Odisha has been celebrated as the land of temples, art, and culture. But over the past decade, the state has carefully crafted a new identity emerging as India’s sporting hub.
With bold investments in infrastructure, innovative public-private partnerships, and the successful hosting of international events, Odisha has redefined the landscape of Indian sport. Today, cities like Bhubaneswar and Rourkela are no longer just cultural landmarks but also global sporting destinations. The latest milestone will come in October when Bhubaneswar hosts the 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis (Teams) Championships (ATTC) 2025 at the Kalinga Stadium from October 11 to 15. This will mark the first time Odisha stages an Asian-level table tennis event, underlining the state’s expanding sporting portfolio.
The honour follows its successful organisation of the 2019 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Cuttack, and highlights how Odisha is diversifying beyond its established success in hockey and athletics.
The Turning Point: 2017 Asian Athletics Championships
Odisha’s rise as a sporting powerhouse can be traced back to 2017, when the state stepped in to host the Asian Athletics Championships after Ranchi pulled out just three months before the event. In only 90 days, the Kalinga Stadium was transformed into a world-class venue, earning nationwide acclaim for its seamless execution. That moment became the foundation of what is now referred to as the “Odisha Model.”
At its core, this model rests on two pillars: world-class infrastructure and sustainable partnerships.
The transformation of the Kalinga Sports Complex has been central to Odisha’s sporting journey. The jewel in the crown is the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, the world’s largest fully seated hockey venue. Complementing it is the Indoor Athletics Centre at the Kalinga Stadium, South Asia’s largest facility of its kind. With a 200m 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 the rigorous standards of World Athletics’ Category 1 certification.
These facilities not only enable Odisha to host major international competitions but also allow athletes to train in environments aligned with global benchmarks.
High-Performance Centres: Partnerships with Purpose
Perhaps Odisha’s most innovative step has been the establishment of High-Performance Centres (HPCs) in collaboration with corporates and sporting icons. These include:
- Reliance Foundation HPC for athletics,
- Naval Tata Hockey Academy,
- Abhinav Bindra’s sports science and shooting centre,
- Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy
and similar centres for swimming, football, and other sports.
This unique public-private model ensures athletes benefit not only from state-of-the-art facilities but also from technical expertise and sports science support.
Odisha: The Home of Indian Hockey
One of the most visible demonstrations of Odisha’s commitment has been its sponsorship of India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, an unprecedented move in Indian sport. What began as a five-year partnership has now been extended till 2033, cementing Odisha’s reputation as the “Home of Indian Hockey.” The impact is clear at the grassroots. Sundargarh, long considered the cradle of Indian hockey, now has 17 synthetic turfs, strengthening the pipeline of players. Stars like Amit Rohidas continue to emerge from this system, proving that Odisha is not just supporting Indian hockey it is driving it.
The scale of Odisha’s commitment is unmatched. In the 2024–25 state budget, Odisha allocated ₹1,315 crore to sports and youth services among the highest in India. This reflects a vision where sports are seen not only as a source of pride but also as a vehicle for youth empowerment, employment, and international recognition. Hosting marquee tournaments has given Odisha unprecedented global visibility, while grassroots programmes have ensured that young athletes across districts see sport as a viable path.
Lasting Legacies of Global Events
Every international event hosted in Odisha has left behind a tangible legacy.
- The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Bhubaneswar brought world-class training facilities.
- The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cups introduced certified umpiring and coaching courses.
- The Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in 2019 inspired the leap to hosting the Asian Championships in 2025.
These legacies extend well beyond infrastructure—they include knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the growth of local talent.
The outcomes are already visible. Athletes training at the Reliance Foundation HPC in Bhubaneswar have consistently delivered medals at the Khelo India University Games and other national competitions. Swimmers, paddlers, and track-and-field athletes from Odisha are making their presence felt at the national level, signalling a deeper sporting culture taking root. As Bhubaneswar prepares to welcome Asia’s finest paddlers for the ATTC 2025, Odisha once again signals its intent: to broaden its sporting base beyond hockey and athletics, and to become a multi-sport hub of excellence.
From temples to table tennis, Odisha’s journey reflects not just an investment in infrastructure but a reimagination of what sport can mean for a state. It is now a place where cultural heritage meets sporting ambition, where ancient traditions coexist with modern arenas, and where India’s sporting dreams are being steadily built.
The story of Odisha as a sporting hub is far from complete but one thing is certain: its momentum is only growing stronger.
