Odisha Government Appoints Junior Coaches to Boost Sports Development

Enhancing the Sports Ecosystem

In a significant initiative to bolster the sports framework and nurture grassroots talent, the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Odisha Government has provisionally appointed 25 junior coaches across 12 different sports. This recruitment marks the first coaching appointment exercise in the state since 2016.

Focus on Athlete Development

The recruitment process commenced in 2025 to fill 38 vacant coaching roles across 16 sports disciplines. After a thorough selection process, 25 candidates have been chosen, including nine women coaches, aimed at enhancing Odisha's athlete development system. The appointed coaches will cover various sports such as athletics, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, gymnastics, football, basketball, table tennis, fencing, kabaddi, and kho-kho. This initiative is anticipated to enhance access to quality coaching, discover emerging talent at the grassroots level, and establish a robust pathway for athletes aspiring to compete at national and international levels.

Notable Coach Appointments

Among the selected coaches are Chinmaya Ranjan Jena, Ashish Kumar Pradhan, Jhilli Barik, Shahid Jamil Rizvi, and Anjana Mukhi for athletics; Sujit Lakra, Prafulla Tirkey, Rajesh Oram, Hrushikesh Lakra, and Reshma Lakra for hockey; and Sachin Raut, Laxman Chetty, and Kiran Kumari Digal for weightlifting. Coaches have also been appointed for football, basketball, gymnastics, kabaddi, table tennis, fencing, wrestling, and other sports.

Aiming for Sports Excellence

The state government has stated that these appointments are part of a larger strategy to enhance Odisha's sports infrastructure and position the state as a premier sports hub. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to promote sports development, talent identification, and high-performance training programs throughout Odisha.