The Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, organised an induction ceremony for football talents selected through the CM Trophy-2025 at Kalinga Stadium today. Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister for Sports and Youth Services, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, welcoming and congratulating the aspiring footballers.
During the ceremony, the Minister briefed the athletes about the various facilities and support systems being provided by the State Government. He encouraged the young players to strive for excellence and to bring pride to both the state and the nation through their performances on the field.
“I envision you representing Odisha at the national level and eventually creating a unique identity for yourselves and India on international stages,” said Minister Suraj. “If you can achieve success akin to legends such as Sunil Chhetri, Bhaichung Bhutia, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi, the dreams of our Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the 4.5 crore people of Odisha, and the Sports Department will be fulfilled. Your dedication will enhance Odisha’s reputation on the global sports map.”
Over 6,000 budding players and 284 teams from various rural and remote areas of the state participated in the initiative. It targets children under 15 (U-15) to identify and nurture hidden talent, making it one of the largest talent hunt platforms in the country. Initially, 285 talents were identified; after physical and biological screenings, the top 65 players were selected for elite training. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, these chosen players will be enrolled in the FIFA Academy, Sports Hostels, and the Sambalpur Football Academy to receive high-quality, professional coaching.
The Minister emphasized that this revolutionary scheme, driven by the motto “Prativa Aneka, Lakshya Eka” (Many Talents, One Goal), marks a significant milestone in empowering the next generation of athletes. Tankadhar Tripathy, MLA of Jharsuguda and President of the Football Association of Odisha (FAO), participated in the event virtually to encourage the athletes.
The ceremony began with a welcome address by Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Sports and Youth Services. Other dignitaries present included Dr. Yedulla Vijay, Director of Sports, and Abhijit Paul, Secretary of the Football Association of Odisha.
