Odisha's Chief Minister Champions Sports Careers for Youth at Yuva Shakti Samabesh
Empowering Youth Through Sports and Skill Development
During a recent event in Aska, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the potential for students and young individuals to pursue careers in sports, alongside traditional employment opportunities. This statement was made at the state-level 'Yuva Shakti Samabesh' (Youth Power Congregation), where he also inaugurated development projects worth ₹550 crore for Ganjam district.
Majhi highlighted Odisha's vast potential, asserting that his administration prioritizes sports development, allocating significant funds to enhance sports infrastructure throughout the state. He noted that stadiums are being constructed in all 314 blocks, with an investment of ₹4,124 crore planned over the next four years.
With facilities available at both block and village levels, the Chief Minister encouraged local youth to seize opportunities to showcase their sporting talents. He stated, 'They can easily make sports a career, earning recognition and financial rewards,' while also promoting various sports, including Kabaddi, in addition to cricket, hockey, and football.
Majhi urged young people to identify their talents and work towards honing them. He pointed out that approximately 1.70 crore individuals in Odisha are aged between 15 and 35, and he believes that if a significant number of these youths succeed, Odisha could emerge as a key driver of India's growth.
He also discussed the state's industrialization efforts, projecting that an investment of ₹17 lakh crore could create 1.3 million jobs. The Chief Minister mentioned that the state government is actively implementing proposals from the Make In Odisha Conclave.
In the past year, his administration has provided government jobs to 28,346 youths and aims to create 150,000 jobs within five years. Majhi set ambitious economic goals, targeting a $500 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047, emphasizing the crucial role of youth in achieving these objectives.
During the event, he laid the foundation for various development initiatives, including irrigation and road expansion projects, and called for a revised project report for the enhancement of the Maa Taratareni Temple. He also announced plans for a world-class industrial training institute in Polsara.
Criticizing the previous BJD government, Majhi claimed that the BJP administration has already implemented a 11.25% reservation for students from the Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC) category within just one year, a promise he said the former government failed to fulfill over 24 years.
The event was attended by Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryavansi Suraj, and other dignitaries.