In yet another significant development for sports in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the state-of-the-art sports science center at Kalinga Stadium on Monday. The comprehensive facility has been designed to support athletes and para-athletes from various sports, utilizing sports science and technology. It aims to serve as a center for rehabilitation, recovery, and performance enhancement for local sports talent and elite athletes from across India.
Speaking about the center, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist highlighted the importance of the initiative. “This is an excellent facility, and I believe sports science is the edge that athletes need to thrive at a global level. All global sporting powers incorporate sports science at all levels, from talent identification to elite athlete training.” “I wish I had the opportunity during my career to access the wonderful technology and expertise available here. I am sure it would have helped me perform even better,” he further opined.
The Sports Science Centre features specialized labs, including a Para-Athlete Performance Lab, Biomechanics Lab, Altitude Training Chamber, Cryotherapy, and flotation therapy. Bindra praised the Para-Athlete Performance Lab, emphasizing its significance. “Sport champions inclusivity and gender equality.
It is marvelous to see how Odisha is using sport to instill these values in society.
I haven’t personally seen a state-of-the-art para training facility anywhere in the world. The entire facility is well-thought-out, inclusive, and accessible. It is also inspiring to see the number of young girls from Odisha who have taken up sports,” he said. While the integration of sports science has become a tenet of Odisha’s sports model, the Olympian appreciated the changing approach to sports in Odisha. “Odisha is making a commendable effort to change the thought process around sports performance and embed sports science and technology, not just at the elite level but at the grassroots level.”
