Kalinga Super Cup 2024 Set to Thrill Football Fans in Odisha
In yet another significant development for sports in Odisha, the state is all set to host the 2024 edition of the Super Cup, now branded as the Kalinga Super Cup with Odisha supporting this tournament. The marquee tournament will commence on 9 January with the final scheduled to be held on January 28, with matches taking place at the Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar. The tournament will see 16 teams (12 from the Indian Super League and four from the I-League) divided into four groups of four teams each. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Department, Shri Vineel Krishna said, “We are looking forward to hosting the finest football clubs from all over the country. Football is growing rapidly in Odisha and hosting back-to-back football events strengthens our ecosystem. Today, we have the best of sports infrastructure and facilities including five FIFA standard pitches where the teams will be able to train without any clash in schedule. All arrangements are being made in association with All India Football Federation and Football Association of Odisha to ensure the clubs and the fans have the best of experience in Odisha. I would like to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes to all the participating clubs.” The Kalinga Super Cup will follow a similar structure to the previous editions, where the highest-ranked team from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The champion of the final will secure a spot in the 2024-25 AFC Champions League 2. Notably, Odisha FC holds the title as the defending champions, having triumphed over Bengaluru FC in the 2023 final held in Kozhikode. Noteworthy to mention, Odisha has a deep connection with football. It used to host the Kalinga Cup, one of India’s oldest all-India football tournaments, which was held at the historic Barbati Stadium in Odisha. It was instituted by Odisha’s legendary statesman and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik in 1962. This annual event was organised by Football Association of Odisha and the Sports & Youth Services Department, Govt of Odisha, and saw participation from some of the leading sports clubs of the country and was a significant football event in the country. It not only offered exposure but also played a crucial role in producing talented footballers from the state. The competition follows a series of initiatives deployed by the government of Odisha towards the promotion and development of football. Recently, Hon Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Arsene Wenger, chief of global football development at FIFA. Furthermore, Odisha also hosted the India vs. Qatar match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 joint qualifier. Additionally, Bhubaneswar serves as the home base for the India U16 and U19 teams, frequently hosting their training camps. Odisha has also forged a partnership with ISL club, Odisha FC to strengthen grassroots efforts, providing the club with the prestigious Kalinga Stadium as their home ground. The Sportz Planet Desk
Odisha recognises athletes and para-athletes with cash awards for their remarkable performances in December 2023
Shri Tusharkanti Behera, Hon’ble Minister, Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha today feliciated and presented cash awards to various athletes from the state for their remarkable performances in December 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium. Also present at the occasion were Sports Director, Shri Siddhartha Das and officials of DSYS to congratulate and encourage the athletes. Speaking at the occasion, Hon. Sports Minister, Shri Tusharkanti Behera said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes of Odisha for their remarkable performances and achievements in December 2023. This is our continued effort towards recognizing and incentivizing talented athletes for their performances. I’m sure this will motivate them to better their performances and they have our support throughout their sporting journey.” Odisha’s Kayaking and Canoeing team, who were the overall champions of the 34th National Canoe Sprint Championship (Senior Men and Women) 2023 held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in December 2023, were felicitated by the Hon’ble Sports Minister. The were 18 different medallists in the contingent, who won a total of 66 medals at the National Championship held in December 2023. Sachima Kerkata, Rashmita Sahoo and Moirangthem Sophia Devi were awarded with Rs 90,000 for their multiple medal wins. Sachima won four Gold and three Silver, Rashimta won four Gold, two Silver and a Bronze, while Sophia won three Gold and two Silver medals. Oinam Bidya Devi (1 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze) and Fulmani Xaxa (1 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze) received Rs 55,000. Avinash Singham, who won two Silver and two Bronze medals received Rs 50,000, while Salam Kishan Singh (4 Silver medals), Sagar Kumar (3 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal) and Ahongshangbam Naobi Singh (1 Gold medal, 2 Silver medals and 1 Bronze) received Rs 40,000 each, while Pukhrambam Roji Devi (1 Gold and 2 Silver) and Sruti Chowgule (1 Gold and 2 Silver) were presented with Rs 35,000 each. Phairembam Borish Singh who returned with three medals – Gold, Silver and Bronze – received Rs 30,000, while Thongam Monocha Singh (1 Gold and 1 Silver), Salam Arshi Devi (1 Gold and 1 Silver) and Laishram Borish Singh (1 Gold and 1 Silver) received Rs 25,000 each. Madhusmita Nayak, who won a Gold received Rs, 15,000, while Elin Alrica Toppo (Silver) and Moirangthem Jabez Meitei (2 Bronze medals) received Rs 10,000 each. Meanwhile, para-athletes who won medals and took part in the recently concluded World Ability Sports 2023 (previously known as IWAS World Games) in Thailand were also felicitated and awarded cash prizes on the occasion. Suchitra Parida (Para-athletics), who attained a Gold and a Silver was awarded Rs 34 lakh, while Jayanti Behera (Para-athletics), who won a Silver and two Bronze medals received Rs 30 lakh from the state government. Swadhin Mahar received Rs 14 lakh for winning Silver in Para-athletics. Para-badminton player Deep Ranjan Bisoi, who won a Gold and a Bronze, received Rs 18 lakh, while Para-badminton Bronze medallist Subhrajeet Maharana was awarded with Rs 4 lakh. The sports minister also presented a cash award of Rs. 50,000 each to para-athletes for their participation in the World Ability Sports 2023. Para-badminton players G Dillaswar Rao and Nurul Hossain Khan, along with Wheelchair Fencing athletes — Rakhal Kumar Sethy, V Ramesh Rao, Prafulla Kumar Khandayatray, Pujaswini Nayak, Sheela Mantri, Pabitra Sahu and Malti Panaure– each received Rs 50,000 for their participation in the World Ability Sports that is held once in every 2 years. The Sportz Planet Desk
