Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has launched a major initiative to promote sports and youth engagement in remote and Maoist-affected regions under its “Gramodaya” campaign.
As part of the programme, the Department of Sports and Youth Services will distribute sports kits to 485 villages across 10 districts in the state, aiming to integrate youth into the social mainstream through constructive activities.
Funding and Distribution Plan
The government has sanctioned ₹2.42 crore for the initiative, with each selected village set to receive a sports kit worth ₹50,000. The move is expected to encourage greater participation in sports while fostering discipline, teamwork and a healthy lifestyle among young people.
Focus on Maoist-Affected Districts
The scheme will be implemented in districts that have historically faced Maoist influence, including Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Rayagada.
Officials said the initiative is designed not only to promote sports but also to build trust, community engagement and social harmony in these vulnerable areas.
Sports Infrastructure at Grassroots Level
Each sports kit will include equipment for multiple games such as cricket, football, volleyball, badminton, chess and carrom, ensuring a wide range of options for rural youth.
Local youth clubs will be entrusted with the procurement and management of the equipment, while district administrations will assist in forming clubs in villages where none currently exist.
Promoting Talent and Social Integration
Authorities believe the programme will help identify and nurture hidden sporting talent in remote regions, while also steering young people away from negative influences.
By combining sports with community participation, the Gramodaya initiative aims to deliver a broader message of peace, development and inclusion, reinforcing the government’s efforts to bring long-term stability and opportunity to Maoist-affected areas of Odisha.
-OdishaAge
