Odisha CM inaugurates Tribal Sports Meet 2017

Bhubaneswar, Dec 18 :  Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday inaugurated the Tribal Sports Meet 2017, a first-of-its kind event in the country to promote sports among tribals in Odisha.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the sports meet through video conferencing at the state secretariat, an official statement said. 

Patnaik also unveiled the logo of the event and mascot of the meet 'Olly'.

Patnaik said that tribals possess extraordinary sporting talents which are reflected in their culture and lifestyle.

The event will help in developing the inner talent of the tribal sportspersons and they could bring laurels for Orisha and for the country in national and international platforms, the Minister said.

The Sports Meet will be held across the state. The players up to 35 years of age are eligible for participating in the meet, an official statement said.

Thousands of tribals are slated to compete in different sports during the sports meet.

The government will give a total cash reward of Rs 1.8 crore to the winners across the state. The winners will be awarded at state and district levels.

While a cash reward of Rs 3,61,200 will be given to winners in each district, winners at state-level will receive a total cash reward of Rs 5,55,600, the statement said.