Odisha's Chief Minister Champions Indigenous Sports on Global Stage

Promoting Local Games Worldwide

Mumbai/Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his commitment to elevating indigenous sports to a global platform during his keynote speech at the WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) 2025, hosted at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, according to a release from the Chief Minister's Office.

During a special session titled 'Indigenous Sports – From India to the Global Stage,' Majhi emphasized the cultural, social, and international importance of traditional sports in India.

"We will persist in collaborating with the Government of India and international federations to ensure that indigenous sports receive the recognition they deserve on the global stage," Majhi stated.

Reflecting on his childhood experiences in Keonjhar, a tribal area in Odisha, he shared his early involvement with games like 'kabaddi' and 'kho-kho.' He noted that these activities represented more than mere games; they embodied teamwork, resilience, and a sense of identity deeply rooted in local communities.

Majhi also announced that Odisha has pioneered the establishment of a High-Performance Centre (HPC) dedicated to kho-kho, in partnership with a steel company.

This groundbreaking initiative aims to transform the perception of traditional sports, recognizing them as professional fields deserving of structured training, infrastructure, and innovation. He also highlighted the achievements of the Odisha Juggernauts.

Odisha is unique in having a state-owned franchise in the Ultimate Kho Kho League, which triumphed in the league's inaugural season in 2022. Majhi remarked, "This is a testament to the impact of targeted support and strategic investment."

He concluded with a saying from Odisha: "Khela re sanskruti achhi, sanskruti re asmita achhi (In our games lies our culture, and in our culture lies our identity)."