BHUBANESWAR: The preliminary list for the junior coach selection process has been released, marking a key step towards strengthening grassroots sports development and reinforcing Odisha’s high-performance sports ecosystem.
Sports & Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said a total of 25 eligible coaches have been included in the initial list. He noted that the selection process aims to ensure structured training support for emerging athletes across the state.
Among the shortlisted candidates, nine are women coaches, a move expected further to encourage women’s participation in the sports ecosystem and promote inclusivity in coaching roles.
In a post on X, Suraj said that the selected coaches will provide training across 12 major sporting disciplines, including hockey, athletics, swimming, kabaddi, weightlifting, wrestling, table tennis, fencing, basketball, kho-kho, gymnastics, and football.
He added that the initiative is designed to enhance the quality of coaching at the grassroots level, strengthen athlete development pathways, and create a more robust pipeline for competitive sports in the state.
Separately, the Odisha Sports Department has felicitated promising sub-junior, cadet, and junior karate players who delivered an impressive performance at the National Karate Championship 2026, organised under the aegis of the Karate India Organization.
The young athletes from the state brought laurels to Odisha by securing a total of 12 gold, 4 silver, and 16 bronze medals across various categories in the championship.
The sports minister said the achievement reflects the growing strength of karate in the state and the consistent progress of young sportspersons in competitive martial arts.
