THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
OCTOBER 3, 2026
Odisha is poised to
emerge as a major sports hub of India, alongside strengthening its position as
a leading tourism destination, former Indian cricket captain and legendary
all-rounder Kapil Dev said on Saturday.
Addressing the
seventh edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar in Bhubaneswar, Dev said a
country’s sporting achievements and its sportspersons played an important role
in establishing its identity on the global stage. India, he said, was making
rapid progress in sports, with its athletes winning medals at major
international events, including the Asian Games and the Olympics.
“Any country becomes known in the world
through its sports and sportspersons,” Dev said, emphasising the growing
importance of sporting achievements in enhancing a country’s global profile.
Dev made a special
mention of Odisha’s contribution to the growth and promotion of Indian hockey.
The State, he said, had played a significant role in supporting the sport and
creating an ecosystem for its development.
He pointed to
Odisha’s growing sporting profile as evidence that the State’s identity was
extending beyond its tourism potential.
“Odisha is not only about tourism; it has also
played a major role in taking Indian hockey forward,” Dev said.
He added that Odisha
could take pride in its growing stature in Indian sports and expressed the view
that the State would emerge as a major sports hub in the coming years.
Dev’s remarks came at
a tourism-focused event that brought together government representatives,
investors, hospitality brands and tourism partners from India and abroad.
The convergence of
tourism and sports, particularly through sporting events and sports
infrastructure, can give destinations additional visibility and attract
visitors, athletes and sporting communities.
Odisha has in recent
years built a prominent profile in Indian hockey, while also developing its
wider tourism infrastructure and promoting the State as a destination for
visitors.
The former India captain also highlighted the achievements of Indian athletes at international competitions, saying their medal-winning performances were bringing pride to the country.
The seventh edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. The event was aimed at promoting Odisha as a global tourism destination and attracting investment into the State’s tourism and hospitality sector.
