Odisha CM Calls for Global Recognition of Indigenous Sports at WAVES 2025

Speaking at the special session titled “Indigenous Sports – From India to the Global Stage,” the Chief Minister spotlighted the cultural, social, and global significance of India’s traditional sports.

Drawing from his own upbringing in Keonjhar, a tribal-dominated hinterland district of Odisha, the Chief Minister reflected on his early sporting experiences with kabaddi and kho-kho. “These were more than games,” he said. “They were expressions of teamwork, resilience, and identity rooted in the soil of our communities.”

The address underscored Odisha’s pioneering role in sports development, particularly in the realm of indigenous games.

Majhi proudly announced that Odisha is the first state in India to establish a dedicated High-Performance Centre for an indigenous sport i.e. Kho Kho, in collaboration with AM/NS India.

This landmark initiative redefines the narrative around traditional sports, recognizing them as professional disciplines worthy of structured training, infrastructure, and innovation.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the success of Odisha Juggernauts, the only state government-owned franchise in the Ultimate Kho Kho League, which won the league’s inaugural season in 2022.

“It stands as a testament to what focused support and strategic investment can achieve,” he added.

WAVES 2025 featured an esteemed panel of speakers in the session, including Pro Kabaddi League Commissioner Anupam Goswami, global kabaddi icon Fazel Atrachali, and indigenous sports advocate Sudhanshu Mittal.

The discussion explored how India’s traditional sports can be taken to international platforms, including the Olympics, with the support of athletes, media, federations, and government.

Reaffirming Odisha’s commitment, Shri Majhi stated, “We will continue to work with the Government of India and global federations to ensure that indigenous sports get their rightful place on the world stage.

As we say in Odisha—Khela re sanskruti achhi, sanskruti re asmita achhi. (In our games lies our culture, and in our culture lies our identity.)”

The Government of Odisha continues to lead by example in integrating sports with youth empowerment, social development, and cultural preservation. WAVES 2025 marks another significant milestone in that journey.